How Evansville’s Seton Harvest Uses Your Leaves to Feed Those in Need

There are plenty of things to love about fall - the beautiful colors, cooler temps, football, and more. On the flip side, the biggest thing to NOT love about fall is all the doggone leaves! If you're like me, you spend hours either mowing, blowing, or raking a yard full of leaves, only to find the ground is completely covered the very next day.

READ MORE: When Can Indiana Expect the First Accumulation of Snow in 2024?

If you’re wondering what to do with those piles of fall leaves, here is a perfect solution: give them to Seton Harvest for composting! The community farm, along with Mother Nature, will use those leaves to help grow the much-needed food that gets donated back to the community each year.

7 Reasons Why Composting is So Important

1. Enhances Soil Structure
   • Improves soil texture: Leaf compost, rich in organic matter, helps sandy soils retain moisture while breaking up heavy clay soils, making them easier to work with.
   • Increases aerations: The organic material creates air pockets in the soil, promoting better root growth and overall plant health.
2. Boosts Soil Fertility
   • Nutrient-rich: Decomposed leaves add essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which plants need to thrive.
   • Microbial Life: Leaf compost supports a diverse community of soil microorganisms, which play a vital role in nutrient cycling and soil fertility.
3. Improves Moisture Retention
   • Natural Mulch: Leaf compost acts like a sponge, increasing the soil's ability to retain water, reducing the need for frequent watering.
   • Prevents Erosion: By improving soil structure, it helps prevent soil erosion caused by wind and rain.
4. Balances Soil pH
   • Leaf compost can help neutralize acidic or alkaline soils, creating a more balanced environment for plant growth.
5. Reduces Waste and Carbon Footprint
   • Sustainable Practice: Composting leaves diverts yard waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions and contributing to a more sustainable waste management system. 
   • Natural Recycling: It turns garden waste into a valuable resource, promoting a circular ecosystem.
6. Suppresses Weeds and Pests
   • Natural Weed Barrier: A layer of leaf compost can help suppress weed growth, reducing the need for chemical herbicides.
   • Pest Deterrent: Some leaves contain natural compounds that can reel garden pests.
7. Insulates Plant Roots
   • In cold weather, a layer of composted leaves can protect plant roots from frost damage, acting as a natural insulator.

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How to Drop Off Your Leaves at Seton Harvest

When bringing leaves to Seton Harvest (at 9400 New Harmony Road on Evansville's west side), follow the driveway around the barn to the compost pile behind the first greenhouse. Unload leaves in the designated area, and boom, you’ve just become a part of the sustainable farming effort!