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what to do with fall leaves and resulting compost tea???

 
Larry Jackson
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Last fall I filled about 8 or so, 18 GALLON totes (sort of a plastic box with an open top), with the fall leaves to place around all the container plants as a form of insulation for the winter. Spring is fast approaching and with it the spring rains have started adding to the prior snow moisture content of the leaves. I have poured most of the water from these and now have approximately 20 gallons or more of a dark brown water that turns any cracks in my hands an orange color. I can't call it compost tea for certain, because I didn't add anything like dirt or worm pooh or the likes. Just simply leaves and water solution.

I am afraid to dump it out because it must have a good use for the garden, and I am afraid to leave the possible liquid gold un-contained for fear of mosquito infestation that may happen if left unchecked.

What use might this have?  Can it be used for tanning fabrics, leathers, ect? Can it be used in the garden? If so, then do I need to store it?

What do you think it might be good for other than breeding mosquitoes?

Please help me think.

Larry

Teach me of your sacred plants, spaces, places. Share me your songs that I may share the stories to those not yet born.

 
Ben Knofe
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I am not sure about your weather in summer, but maybe you can use it to just water your garden? Can you close it so mosquitos cannot enter and breed? Maybe put it in a barrel?

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Mk Neal
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If its turning your hands orange, it may be full of tannins (oak leaves by any chance?) Maybe you could use it to tan leather.  

Weeds are just plants with enough surplus will to live to withstand normal levels of gardening!--Alexandra Petri

 
Larry Jackson
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Thank you Ben and MK, I cannot presently pour it on the garden as the rains have arrived, and everything is already saturated.

Teach me of your sacred plants, spaces, places. Share me your songs that I may share the stories to those not yet born.

 
Larry Jackson
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The BArrel idea may work with some twill or fine mesh covering it.

I have no leather to attempt to tan presently, but I would entertain tanning leather if some were sent to me. I happen to still have my fathers old leather-working tools. Thank you both for the awesome suggestions.

Larry

Teach me of your sacred plants, spaces, places. Share me your songs that I may share the stories to those not yet born.

 
Larry Jackson
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The leaf water had a surprising effect in the places I poured it out....
Much like compost tea it fed the plants I poured it on and around.
The red cabbage plant from last year survived the winter and reproduced multiple heads per plant.
A bridal wreath spirea plant that hasn't bloomed for the past two years and looked dead not only grew leaves and bloomed, new growth at the base of it. Yay!
New Zealand Spinach outgrew the raised bed garden.
Lantana that normally grows about two feet wide grew over 6 feet wide around.
The Red Cannas not only survived the winter , they produced viable seed. Many firsts experiences for me this year.

What do you do with your Leaves?

Teach me of your sacred plants, spaces, places. Share me your songs that I may share the stories to those not yet born.

 
Anne Miller
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Thank you, Larry, for the update.

It is good to know that this happy experiment turned out well for you.

This sounds like an easy way to make "compost tea".

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

 
Anne Pratt
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What a happy outcome!

It makes sense if you think about it - trees are certainly dynamic accumulators, reaching down deep.  And a good part of those minerals certainly reach the leaves.  After composting (and soaking!), those wonderful minerals did wonders for your garden.

I've become very interested in those weed-soaking, nettles-soaking, and local biology harvesting techniques and can't wait to try them.

. . . bathes in wood chips . . .

 
Anne Miller
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By the way, Larry, what did you do with the leaves after you pour off the water?

I hope you composted them.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

 
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