During the next few months, we will collect close to 1200 cubic metres of leaves from the formal gardens, grounds and 18-hole golf course. We estimate this is enough to fill 160 skips.
The fallen leaves are collected by an Amazone Groundkeeper flail mower. This tough machine with a capacity of over 3 cubic meters is in much demand but with the house and gardens closed to the public, the golf course gets preferential use.
Transported and piled onto compost heaps across the estate we estimate the leaves produce 15-20 tons of leafmould.
The heaps are turned over with a front-end loader a few times a year to move material from the outside to the middle, where it can decompose more quickly. This also helps to keep the balance of nutrients, air and moisture in the heaps consistent.
After 12-24 months the leafmould is used for bedding plants in the gardens, trees in the grounds or for use in construction work on the golf course. Composting in this way is cost-effective versus buying in and supports an organic and sustainable approach to land management.
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