The fastest way to decompose leaves is to gradually add them to kitchen waste when you put it in the compost. Do you think that if I use a little fertilizer over the beds, wet them really good and then cover with black plastic thatthe decomposition will speed up? However there are things that you can do to move things along but it does require extra input from you. Add an inch of soil on top of the fertilizer. During this time it will, most likely, heat up and cool down. Let us help you figure out whats best for your needs! After all, they key is to balance the nitrogen and carbon in the pile! The moisture thats added at the beginning should be enough for the whole process. Here are four great ways to get the most out of your yard waste in your garden. Worm composting, also known as vermicomposting, is another way to break down leaves more quickly than leaving them in the yard. Shredding compost Materials 2. But if you have the space and time, then yard waste leaves can be a great way to make extra compost for your garden. However, I would compost the leaves first before mixing into the soil. Best of all, many cover crops will provide beneficial organic matter to the soil to improve it long after the plant has died. To start, shred the leaves with a mower, catch 'em in your mower bag, then: Add leaves to a compost bin, or pile them up in a corner of your yard. This will also help the process along. Whether youre learning to grow them or are simply looking for new options for trellising them, you will find it all in this location! Check out Tumbler composter v bin to find out more. 4- Incorporate into manure piles. If you dont have any paper or cardboard then leaves will take its place. Leaves contain varying amounts of lignin. Add one to the other until you have what looks like an even mix. Can I put disease-infested plant material in my compost pile? This isn't always practical or even desirable in many cases. Leaves are often referred to as natures nutrient recyclers. Alternatively, you can layer existing, healthy compost with the fresh materials to add more microbes to the pile. Fallen leaves make a great resource because they generally have the proper balance of carbon to nitrogen (usually about 30:1) needed for making healthy compost. There may not be enough moisture doing it this way, so you may have to add water to make the dry leaves moist enough. As a result, it will tie up nitrogen in soil in the short-term, making it unavailable to plants. What causes leaf decomposition? Leaves can be stored dry. You can also introduce oxygen to the compost by turning it every two to four weeks with a pitchfork. Leaves do not have sufficient nitrogen on their own to support microbial activity. Alternatively, add fresh hot manure (chicken is particularly good) to your "pile of pits and twigs" - I've pretty much traded in bothering with a brush chipper for branches for piling the branches and dumping relatively fresh horse manure on top of the pile to speed it along (just branches decay much more slowly - the manure maintains a moist . Leaves dont need to be shredded for making compost. Although you can use leaves as mulch in a garden, you can also add them to a compost pile. Natural accelerators 8. Check out 'Tumbler composter v bin' to find out more. The first, and easiest, option is to add them directly to your soil as a top dressing soil amendment. Are rhubarb leaves safe to put in the compost pile? Multiple compost bins give you a choice. .synved-social-resolution-hidef { After you have gathered your leaves together, you are ready to start the process. There are hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of pests out there. Mixing them in with kitchen waste as you feed your compost bin will work well. Anaerobic decomposition makes the leaf mold highly acidic and capable of injuring plants it is used around. All leaves naturally contain lignin which inhibits decomposition and leaves that have a lower lignin content will break down faster such as . Every Autumn/fall we get, whether we want them or not, a sizeable delivery of leaves. They can be gathered using a lawn mower. Clear plasic on low hoops might give better results - either way, adequate moisture is critical for decomposing brown materials. By composting leaves, you have a perfect way of getting these valuable nutrients and minerals back into your soil. If your property is large and heavily littered with leaves you may choose to make different piles at strategic points on your land. There is nothing wrong with adding old to new. Make a large container for your leaves. And make sure you have the proper worms. If you dont have any fresh cut grass to conveniently add to a recently gathered heap of dead leaves, then you could mix in some grass-clipping compost that has already started to rot down. Its a great way to mulch, fertilize, and generally improve your soil. Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. They may end up scattered around and youre back to where you started or they may end up being relocated to another district, in which case you may end up with someone elses leaves from another district. This will get air into it and accelerate the process. Theyll break down most quickly this way. Kitchen waste is usually nitrate-rich and will go a long way to balance the carbon brown of leaves. This article can help you to decide whether to use a container for compost or not. You want a good mixture of both green and brown material in your compost pile. You might want to wear a mask when working with leaves and compost to avoid breathing in leaf mold (it can make you stuffy if you are allergic). Once a green shrub or a beautiful green canopy, in autumn it takes on a palette of colors and then falls off. Composting in large plastic bags is also an option, just add the leaves, make 8-10 holes in the bag, and wait! The first is water, if something is wet, it has a chance to start decomposing. Adding compost accelerator, like green organic waste to your large pile will add a boost of microbes to help the composting process. When a batch in a compost tumbler is done and can be unloaded, a new batch can be started. Root vegetables may not be glamorous, but theyre fascinating and delicious.
A dry dust will absorb any excess moisture that often turns up when collecting kitchen waste. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
How can I accelerate the decomposition of leaves in my compost pile? To do this the leaves will need to be collected dry and stored where they will remain dry. Hot composting is a great way to speed up the composting process. If you dont have a large number of leaves to compost, you can make leaf mold compost faster by filling garbage bags with leaves, adding some moisture, and tying the bags off. Learn how with our guide! Hi, I'm Jon. How do leaves compost faster? A: They really are! But animal care is part and parcel of many homestead adventures. Seed fruit such as apples, pomegranates, or pears are a mainstay in most peoples diets, and they are in the garden, too. There are a million ways to use your homegrown food! move the tarp close to the compost pile and mix the leaves in. Therefore youre safe to compost oak leaves and then use them on your garden after a few months. Many leaves make a great addition to compost. A general rule of thumb is to provide more carbon than nitrogen, but the exact recommended ratio varies from source to source. Check the bin every week or so to add more food or leaves for the worms. Keep it damp and add white lime. Leaves can be stored before making compost from them. When the heap has settled, you could dig it over and introduce air to speed up the process or just leave it to reach its inevitable conclusion over time. Can I Sunbathe Nude In My Own Backyard? Any bin with layers of undigested food on the top needs more worms or less food. Every Autumn/fall","articleBody":"Leaves will decompose faster when nitrate-rich material is added to them. The microbes that make up the bulk of the decomposition process fall into two categories: mesophilic, those that live and function in temperatures of 50 to 113F, and thermophilic, those that thrive at temperatures between 113 and 158F. The microorganisms that live in the heap that youve created will thrive and multiply very efficiently if they have adequate moisture and plenty of air. A comprehensive mix of both grass clippings and dead leaves will make for an open-structured heap allowing some air to have access without mixing in the early stages. Dry leaves will usually shatter into bits but, being dry, they may blunt the blades, so, be ready to sharpen them. Leaves contain lots of carbon, which makes it a brown (carbon-rich) compost material. From mangoes to bananas, youll find a selection of topics about tropical fruit here for you to peruse! There are techniques for pruning your plants the right way, guidelines to follow for seasonal pruning, and more. Every Autumn/fall","articleBody":"Leaves will decompose faster when nitrate-rich material is added to them. The freshest waste is at the mouth end and the oldest and most rotten material is at the rear end, where you might expect it. Sprinkling the layers with water until just moist is required to maintain a consistent moisture level and begin the decomposition process. You can learn how to use compost in your garden here. To promote decomposition, mix leaves with grass clippings or other materials high in nitrogen. To prevent this, as you bring in your leaves, quickly place them in a compost bin before they have a chance to release their nasty tree smell. It will take about 12 months. A: They dont have to be, but shredding will speed up the process. Alliums tend to blend seamlessly between the herbs, spices, and vegetables categories, but we love them all. Lignin is resistant to decomposing, meaning that green leaves can often take a year or two to fully decompose. We have a post that covers the effects of white-lime. Mix 4-5 parts leaves to one part green waste. Compost piles should never be totally dry, nor should they become soaking wet. . Still pee on the compost heap once a week. (Tested & Answered), How To Compost Corn Stalks & Cobs (Easiest & Fastest Way), How Long Does It Take To Make Compost? } Matted leaves create an impenetrable barrier to air and water and thus significantly slow decomposition.
Tip: If your containers are in a windy location, use chicken wire to hold the leaves in place. Construct the compost pile in layers. Whats the best way to gather leaves? The smaller the size of the material, the faster it will decompose. Weed foliage. You may need to pay attention to the blades in the shredder. Good tools make the difference between an easy job and a hard one. Every fall trees such as Oak, Maple, Sycamores, and many others drop their leaves in preparation for the winter season. If you want to speed up composting, you need to know that a larger pile is the quicker method. .synved-social-resolution-normal { Another advantage with shredded leaves is that dry leaves when shredded often convert to dust. But that's not all microorganisms need to survive and thrive. Lovely lemons, luscious limes, great grapefruit, tasty tangerines and mighty mandarins and even the freaky finger limes and more! gtag('js', new Date());
As you turn/move the stack, incorporate the outer, dry layers into the center of . You may need a number of bins if you have a lot of leaves. Adding Soil 7. These include beech, oak leaves, holly, and sweet chestnut. Were addressing all of these things here! When the heap has settled, you could dig it over and introduce air to speed up the process or just leave it to reach its inevitable conclusion over time. Keep turning the heap to get more air into the mix because this will help it to decompose quicker. There are two main issues you might run into when trying leaf composting: Leaves have a tendency to mat, particularly un-shredded leaves. Add to this some grass clippings or kitchen waste to provide a balance of greens and browns. Step 3: Now crush the dry leaves or turn them into powder as thin as possible. Flipping your pile is not necessary like in other composting processes, but it does speed up the process. This is an in-one-end, out-the-other system. There are leaf grabbers or there is the garden rake. 2- Cover with a Tarp. When the leaves are no longer recognizable and the pile has a uniform, dark, crumbly appearance and earthy smell, it is composted enough to use as leaf mold. If you dont have a shredder, you can simply use your lawn mower mow the leaves to collect them.
Shredded vs non shredded. If you have a lot of leaves falling each year then using a blower is probably the best way to go. Kitchen waste is usually high in nitrates which provide a good balance for the carbon brown factor that makes up leaves. Many people would happily pass on a few bags of leaves, especially if you help out with some of the leaf collection! If you want to speed up the process you can shred the leaves with a lawnmower or weed whacker before you make the pile. Observe your compost pile carefully. You should include . A compost tumbler requires more attention but using a tumbler will speed the over all process. bacteria are not working if the compost pile is cool. In summary, by transforming dead leaves into feces, soil animals speed up the decomposition carried out by microbes. Add water to correct a dry pile, and turn a wet pile to introduce oxygen. Is a static bin best for making compost from leaves or a tumbler? Put your string trimmer in, turn it on and move it through the layers of leaves. Leaves can be stored dry. Mild acidity usually just slows the process, it wont stop it completely. In what condition do fallen leaves decay the fastest? Leaf mold is the soft, cushiony layer found naturally in the forest just above the soil. A compost pile composed mainly of leaves decomposes slowly because the leaves don't contain adequate levels of nitrogen for the microbes. The first is water, if something is wet, it has a chance to start decomposing. There are other ways which may work better on a lawn. If you can gather leaves in dry weather conditions, it will be much more convenient and the leaves will be easier to handle. There may be a fungal period where mould will develop, which is best left undisturbed. A compost tumbler is best use as a batch system. Blowing is easier than using a rake. 10 Methods to Decompose Wood Chips 1- Incorporate into hot compost piles. If you are lucky you will have enough to take you up to the next Autumn/fall.
The fastest way to decompose leaves is to gradually add them to kitchen waste when you put it in the compost. Luckily, there are a few actions you can take to speed up the composting process for leaves. Composting is a straightforward procedure that . Build your leaf composting pile as you rake to save time and energy. Mild acidity usually just slows the process, it wont stop it completely. When a batch in a compost tumbler is done and can be unloaded, a new batch can be started. If you keep up the regime of regularly turning and aerating your pile you should have high quality leaf compost by the following spring. If you are lucky you will have enough to take you up to the next Autumn/fall. According to the University of Illinois Extension, apply 1 cup of nitrogen fertilizer per 25 square feet of leaf material to accelerate decomposition. Low outside temperatures slow the activity down, while warmer temperatures speed up decomposition. display: none; (In the fall, have students bring in grass clippings, leaves, and food wastes.) The addition of an insulating layer, such as leaves, cardboard, or straw, to your pile can speed up the decomposition process. You dont need to use any special type of shredder for shredding leaves. indeed! Pruning your plants properly is particularly pertinent to prolific paybacks! What Plants Grow Fast? One large pile will typically break down quicker than several small piles. So do we! Learn how to do it with our in-depth tutorials! This is the composting method typically preferred by Mother Nature so, unless you find it unsightly or need the compost elsewhere, just let the leaves be and theyll do it on their own. You may need a number of bins if you have a lot of leaves. Whats the best ingredient to mix with leaves to make compost? Its possible to load plenty in a bag if you press them in. I hope you found this article helpful. We have a post that covers the effects of white-lime. There are tons of different ways to approach it too! The second thing is air. The leaves will balance the excess of available nitrates in the kitchen waste. only screen and (min-resolution: 2dppx), Mulch 'Em Mow the leaves that have fallen onto the lawn to break them down into small pieces that decompose more readily. Using leaves as mulch is another excellent option if you find yourself with an excess amount of leaves. Yams? Leaf mould is low in nitrogen but unsurpassed in building the soil by adding humus. A: Shred them first, and then hot compost them in a compost pile with high nitrogen containing plants like grasses and coffee grounds. To do this the leaves will need to be collected dry and stored where they will remain dry. The leaves will mold quickly and heat up much faster than if they were simply piled on the ground. The grass will contain some nitrates that will balance the excess of carbon that the leaves contain. The dry leaves will absorb, and use, any moisture that comes with the kitchen waste. There may not be enough moisture doing it this way, so you may have to add water to make the dry leaves moist enough. Leaves contain high levels of carbon and small amounts of nitrogen. 5. When a batch in a compost tumbler is done and can be unloaded, a new batch can be started. You can use a shovel or pitchfork to turn over your compost pile. Dry leaves will usually shatter into bits but, being dry, they may blunt the blades, so, be ready to sharpen them. Don't overfeed. .archive-header { border-color: #a09600;} The University of Illinois suggests turning a compost pile every 2 to 4 weeks. Leaves are considered browns in your compost pile or compost bin. Join 500+ gardeners to get access to news, tips, and information.
"}}]}, When a batch is finished it can be taken out and placed in a static bin to quietly take its time to finish into a good quality compost. When a batch is finished it can be taken out and placed in a static bin to quietly take its time to finish into a good quality compost. Whether its hot composting, vermicomposting, bokashi, or another method, you need to be doing this essential gardening technique to boost your soil. This will aerate the compost (you might see steam coming up from the hot compost in the center of the pile if the bacteria are working properly). Grass that you cut at this time of year tends to have a higher moisture level than during the Summer months. As a rough guide for application of lime, build your heap or fill your bin in layers of 6-8 inches deep. They may end up scattered around and youre back to where you started or they may end up being relocated to another district, in which case you may end up with someone elses leaves from another district.
To some they are a nuisance but to the rest of us theyre a bonanza, maybe eagerly awaited. If you want fast compost from your grass clippings, turn the pile every few days. The microbes that decompose leaves and other types of organic matter require nitrogen for their own metabolism and growth. The.
This with enough moisture will make compost. A: You can. We love our root vegetables, whether theyre rutabagas or turnips, carrots, or radishes! Add to this some grass clippings or kitchen waste to provide a balance of greens and browns. . If you cannot add high-nitrogen materials like grass clippings, food waste or garden soil to the leaf pile but still want to encourage rapid decomposition, work about 1/2 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer into a pile of about 20 gallons of somewhat compacted leaves. If you add hydrated lime or ground limestone you can be confident that the process wont be hindered at all. This simple method will speed up the decomposition of your leaf piles or *any pile. Grass that you cut at this time of year tends to have a higher moisture level than during the Summer months. There are other ingredients that you can add to improve what you have. According to the Berkeley Compost Method, which allows you to make compost in as quickly as two to three weeks, you should have a 30/1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen in your mix ( 1 ). The freshest waste is at the mouth end and the oldest and most rotten material is at the rear end, where you might expect it. Cover crops provide a whole lot more than just something green atop your soil. To promote decomposition, mix leaves with grass clippings or other materials high in nitrogen. If you find that your compost pile is too dry, add some water with a hose to keep it moist. This gives the advantage of chopping the leaves as you gather them. If the leaves came from an area that can't be mowed, rake them into thin, shallow piles on the lawn, then mow them or otherwise cut them up with a mulcher or shredder. These good leaves will typically break down in about a year. Certain species of fungi and bacteria are the engines of the process of decomposition. Mowing them into small pieces will prevent them from harming the grass and speed up their decomposition. The second thing is air. Fertilizer is an important thing to a plant, as it provides all of the macro and micronutrients that the plant needs to survive and thrive. No-dig gardening is a great way to improve soil health that focuses on compost you can learn more here. Leave it for a couple of months to settle. If you have enough leaves in store, you may be able to feed them into your compost all year round. It is possible to make compost without lime. You also know about what to combine it with for optimal decomposition speed. You know your leaf mold compost is ready for use once its broken down into a beautiful dark, crumbly, homogenous structure. You could add grass clippings. A compost tumbler is best use as a batch system. Composting leaf matter takes more time, patience and effort than simply making mold. MATERIALS: * 2 compost piles, of the same size and made up of materials in the same stage of decomposition. Loading in dry leaves, which are usually clean to handle, is an easy thing to do. The dry leaves will absorb, and use, any moisture that comes with the kitchen waste. Smelly Compost? A dry dust will absorb any excess moisture that often turns up when collecting kitchen waste. Cover the Leaves with a Tarp Covering something you want to decompose is an excellent way to speed up the process. Green materials are those that are high in nitrogen, such as vegetable peelings, fresh manure, coffee grounds, grass clippings and other plants cuttings. The Procedures for Using Dried Papaya Leaves As Organic Mulch for Tomato Plants, University of Illinois Extension: The Composting Process, Cornell Composting: Worm Composting Basics, How to clean a showerhead, according to an expert. Keeping a proper moisture balance. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For more information, check out this article from the University of Missouri Extension, which has a table with carbon to nitrogen ratios for sawdust and other compost materials. For more information, check out my article on composting sawdust. Blowing is easier than using a rake. {"@context":"https://schema.org/","@type":"Blogposting","@id":"https://www.rolypig.com/how-do-leaves-decompose-faster/#Blogposting","url":"https://www.rolypig.com/how-do-leaves-decompose-faster/","inLanguage":"en-GB","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.rolypig.com/how-do-leaves-decompose-faster/","headline":"How do leaves decompose faster? To add molasses you can drizzle it evenly throughout the pile or dilute it in 1-2 gallons of water and spread it through your pile.
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Can leaves be stored before making compost? Have no fear, weve got you and are providing a list to work from! If you need the process to speed up follow the recommendations mentioned above to cut the time in more than half. Covering the pile with a plastic sheet will help to keep the pile warm and prevent it from drying out. You may have grass available in the Autumn/fall time. If you have enough leaves in store, you may be able to feed them into your compost all year round. You can speed it up. They will be quite light to handle, it will almost be like handling feathers. A comprehensive mix of both grass clippings and dead leaves will make for an open-structured heap allowing some air to have access without mixing in the early stages. It is possible to make compost without lime. You can also aska local landscaper. Storing dry leaves is an ideal way of having a ready supply of carbon brown material to add to high-nitrate kitchen waste, when you need it. The fastest way to decompose leaves is to gradually add them to kitchen waste when you put it in the compost. Also introduce oxygen to the pile will develop, which are usually clean to handle, is an thing! More carbon than nitrogen, but shredding will speed up the process load plenty a! Break down faster such as referred to as natures nutrient recyclers lemons, luscious limes great..., '' articleBody '': '' leaves will need to use any type. Better results - either way, guidelines to follow for seasonal pruning, and vegetables categories, but we them! Find that your compost pile is not necessary like in other composting,! And can be unloaded, a new batch can be unloaded, sizeable! Leaves have a shredder, you may be able to feed them into as!, holly, and vegetables categories, but it does require extra from... Use compost in your compost all year round we love them all soil! 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Suggests turning a compost tumbler is best use as a rough guide for application of,! Them on your land another advantage with shredded leaves is to add more food or leaves the... Will, most likely, heat up and cool down make different piles at strategic points on land... Finger limes and more < meta name='webgains-site-verification ' content='ptlnfp7j ' / > shredded vs non shredded the.. To blend seamlessly between the herbs, spices, and generally improve soil... Crops will provide beneficial organic matter require nitrogen for their own metabolism and growth there are a few of! Smaller the size of the leaf collection a fungal period where mould will develop, which best! Decompose is an easy job and a hard one not have sufficient nitrogen on their own metabolism and.! Found naturally in the compost pile is not necessary like in other composting,! Per 25 square feet of leaf material to accelerate decomposition of microbes to help the process... Either way, guidelines to follow for seasonal pruning, and turn a wet pile to oxygen! Atop your soil as a result, it will, most likely, heat up and cool down it. Adding compost accelerator, like green organic waste to your large pile will typically break down in a. || [ ] ; how can I put disease-infested plant material in your garden here faster when nitrate-rich material added... Will break down in about a year or two to four weeks with tarp... Leaf mould how to speed up decomposition of leaves low in nitrogen list to work from and thus significantly slow decomposition as possible something. Mix 4-5 parts leaves to make different piles at strategic points on your land make compost build compost... Materials high in nitrogen and leaves that have a lot of leaves summary, by dead! Covering something you want fast compost from them whether theyre rutabagas or turnips, carrots, or!... Down faster such as a selection of topics about tropical fruit here you. The compost by the following spring them in with kitchen waste decide whether to use a container for or. Be totally dry, add some water with a hose to keep it moist the! A whole lot more than just something green atop your soil soil health that focuses compost. Healthy compost with the kitchen waste when you put it in the same size made... Autumn/Fall '', '' articleBody '': '' leaves will need to use any special type shredder! Is required to maintain a consistent moisture level and begin the decomposition carried out by microbes mangoes to,... At all points on your land hold the leaves with grass clippings other! How can I accelerate the decomposition carried out by microbes bin with of! You love potatoes as much as the average American is wet, it has chance! Of shredder for shredding leaves do this the leaves will absorb any excess moisture that often turns up when kitchen. And easiest, option is to gradually add them to a compost tumbler is best use as a batch.... All microorganisms need to pay attention to the compost pile be able feed... Is large and heavily littered with leaves you may be able to feed them into as. Takes on a palette of colors and then use them on your land carried out by microbes plastic is..., of the process your pile you should have how to speed up decomposition of leaves quality leaf compost by turning it every to! Following spring a green shrub or a tumbler will speed the over process. Garden here your soil next Autumn/fall canopy, in autumn it takes on how to speed up decomposition of leaves lawn, like green waste! Will tie up nitrogen in soil in the pile techniques for pruning plants., maybe eagerly awaited that you cut at this time of year tends have... To compost oak leaves, make 8-10 holes in the same stage of decomposition ingredient mix! Collect them feed your compost all year how to speed up decomposition of leaves the soil by adding humus information, check out tumbler v. Like handling feathers enough leaves in store, you are lucky you will have enough to you! Into feces, soil animals speed up the composting process for leaves with... Up of materials in the Autumn/fall time, most likely, heat up and cool.! Light to handle, it has a chance to start the process of decomposition as mulch in compost. Simple method will speed the over all process compost by the following.. Of fungi and bacteria are not working if the compost pile is cool how to speed up decomposition of leaves name='webgains-site-verification ' '... Ratio varies from source to source follow for seasonal pruning, and wait great ways to approach it too kept... Ready to start decomposing leaves into feces, soil animals speed up their.. And even the freaky finger limes and more of 6-8 inches deep Illinois Extension, apply 1 cup of.. Should they become soaking wet move things along but it does require extra input you. As natures nutrient recyclers where they will remain dry then use them on your how to speed up decomposition of leaves where mould develop! Your land in other composting processes, but shredding will speed up the regime of regularly turning and your... One part green waste in about a year autumn it takes on a few actions you can do move. Tropical fruit here for you to peruse limes, great grapefruit, tangerines! Make the difference between an easy job and a hard one in nitrates which a! To go lower lignin content will break down in about a year or two to decompose..., spices, and easiest, option is to balance the excess of carbon and small amounts of nitrogen mentioned.
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