Leaf mould

[Cabbages]

Hi, I have been a member of this forum since it started. My username was diver, but I seem to have lost everything so have rejoined.
So, I am making leaf mould. My leaf mould cage still has last year’s leaves in it half rotted.
I want to put this year’s in bin bags. All the advice says “black” bags. I have white ones. Will they do, or does darkness,ie black make a difference.
My cage is open to the elements so I can’t see why the bag has to be any particular colour.
Thanks.

[Cassiepod]

I had mine in black bags for 2 years and they didn't decompose, but the pile by the fence that's been open to the elements since last autumn has started rotting down well, so I added the 2 yo contents of the black bags to that, i'm not convinced plastic bags are required at all...

[Flo]

It takes a couple of years for leaves to rot down so the fact that people have some from last year still in process is quite normal. I'm not convinced that the colour of bags matter at all as I have worked with green ones. However, if you can acquire free a large builder's dumpy bag that is open to the elements that's ideal. Usually it's quite easy to obtain these. I find that being open to the elements does speed things up a little. Hope that helps.

[Green Aura]

I agree with Flo. If you're going to use plastic bags I'd poke a few holes to allow a bit of airflow and water to get in and out.

[Flo]

I've been known to take the garden fork to the bags to punch those holes. One stab works wonders.

[RenewableCandy]

Black bags with fork-holes work well but take 3-4 years (well, ours did) to make marvellous mould. I don't know whether sun or shade makes a difference - black bags would heat up in the sun & might speed the process.

This year's lot are in blue bags. Will report back in 3 years' time :)