How to Turn Leaves Into Organic Compost, Mulch & Mold for Your Soil
22 October, 2021 by Ana
If you’ve made compost before, you already know it can be done with many different materials, like eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, and even newspapers. But did you know you can also use leaves to make it, as well as mold and mulch?
And, since autumn is pampering our sight with its gorgeous foliage at this moment, it’s the perfect time to talk about reusing the fallen leaves, an excellent, free soil amendment. It’s beneficial for your soil and the environment, super easy to make, and simple to use. Just continue reading, and we’ll tell you all about leaf compost, much, and mold.
Turn the Leaves into Compost
Since it’s probably the most common, let’s begin with turning the fallen leaves into compost. As you probably imagine, the first step is collecting the leaves from your backyard. Once they are gathered, you need to break them into smaller pieces. Whether you use a lawnmower or your hands, the result will be the same; only the amount of work will differ.
The last step is adding the pile of leaves to your compost heap and wait. And, you can even find bags of pre-shredded leaves to add to your collection. That’s it! Easy, right?
Make Leaf Mulch
Making leaf mulch also begins with collecting the fallen autumn leaves in your garden and backyard. Depending on your time and tools, you can do that with a garden vacuum, leaf blower, or just a rake. Just make sure you don’t use diseased leaves. Otherwise, you risk spreading the disease to your plants. Also, we advise you not to use leaves mixed with litter since it might struggle to break down, adding contaminants to your leaf mulch and soil.
Then, just like when making compost, you must shred the leaves. Once they have a suitable size, place them on the soil around your plants, making sure they don’t smother them or touch the stems of smaller plants.
Make Leaf Mold
If you are interested in leaf mold, you can choose between two popular ways of making it. Both methods are easy, with little work required. The first method consists of gathering your leaves into a wire or wood bin or just piling them in the corner of your backyard.
Whether you choose a bin or a pile, it should be at least 3 feet wide and tall. Once they are gathered, dampen the whole pile and let it sit for 6 to 12 months. Make sure you check the moisture level once in a while, especially during dry periods, when you might need to add more water.
If you want to try the second method, you will need a large plastic garbage bag. Gather the leaves, fill the bag and moisten them before sealing the bag. Then, cut holes in the bag for airflow and let it sit. Don’t forget to check the bag every couple of months and, in case the leaves are dry, add more water. After six months to a year, your mold will be ready to use. If you want to fasten the process, you should break the leaves into very small pieces to help them decompose more quickly.
Another great way to pamper your soil with mold faster is to turn your leaf pile every few weeks using a garden fork or a shovel. Or, if you are trying the second method, give the plastic bag a good shake or turn it over. This way, air will enter the process, speeding decomposition.
No matter the method you choose, your soil will enjoy fantastic benefits. And so will the environment. Not to mention that, if your garden is filled with leaves, this is free of charge! And once you are done, you can sit back, unwind, and enjoy your beautiful, clean yard. To enhance this moment of serenity and relaxation, how about an outdoor party? There is nothing better than a fall BBQ, especially if you have a smoker and you can pamper your whole family with a finger-licking outdoor meal. Imagine that!
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