Why I No Longer Make Compost in Autumn (And What I Do Instead)

Key idea

Stop making or using compost in autumn. Instead, let plants decompose in place.

• In fall, avoid adding more plant material to compost bins.
• Use the garden’s growing “surplus biomass” (e.g., beans, comfrey, leaves, plant debris) by cutting/chopping it and spreading it directly on the beds.
• This mimics how forests work when leaves fall and decompose where they land.
• Nature builds healthy soil through in-place decomposition, supporting a whole soil ecosystem (not just bacteria and fungi).

Why this approach (benefits)

• Healthier soil biology: Spreading fresh plant matter supports visible soil life (e.g., earthworms, beetles, and other organisms). Composting beforehand can reduce this visible activity because much material has already decomposed.

• Better insulation over winter: A cut-and-spread mulch layer helps regulate soil temperature through winter.

• Less work: You avoid the cycle of moving material to compost, turning it, then transporting compost back to the beds.

• Moister, resilient soil: Builds deeper organic matter and may improve drought resilience.

• Protect compost as a “valuable” tool: The speaker argues that leaving compost uncovered on beds for months can expose helpful microbes to cold/dark/wet conditions.

What to do instead: fall bed-mulching method

1. Chop/cut biomass (example: comfrey) into smaller pieces.
2. Spread it on beds before winter.
3. Apply a 5–7 cm layer of plant matter.

How compost is used (when it’s still needed)

Compost isn’t rejected entirely—it’s treated as a specific tool, not a universal solution.

• “Spot tool” approach: When planting or transplanting, add a handful of compost in the planting hole only if the plant needs feeding (e.g., tomatoes).

• For most plants—especially legumes/greens—the emphasis is on mulch and plant debris rather than heavy compost fertilizing.

What the beds get covered with (inputs)

Use these as mulch on beds (rather than sending them to the compost bin in autumn):

• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Plant debris
• Kitchen waste

Additional guidance: reduce “compost addiction”

• Compost is described as helpful, but not the only pathway to healthy soil.
• Fertility should be built throughout the garden using plant matter and mulch, rather than relying on compost as the main driver.

Mentioned course / follow-up resource

An online course is promoted:

• 7 lessons
• Includes PDFs with step-by-step guidance and problem-solving (example: slug control)
• Cost: £19 or $27
• Goal: help gardeners use plant debris to grow a healthy garden without relying solely on compost

Notable locations, products, or speakers

• Notable location: the speaker’s garden, including beds behind them with zinnias and kale
• Notable plants mentioned: comfrey, beans, zinnias, kale, legumes/greens, tomatoes
• Product/resource: the speaker’s online course (7 lessons; £19/$27; PDFs included)
• Speaker: the video creator/gardener (no name provided in the subtitles)