Leaf Mold Is A Gardening Gift From Mother Nature

This week my articles are mainly focusing on composting and using the leaves that are now falling.  As you see, my yard is blessed with oak and maple leaves and sometimes Millie just blends right in!  But I don’t mind the leaves.  Especially when I know how leaf mold improves the soil quality in my gardens.  What a great gardening gift  from Mother Nature!  And this garden mulch is so easy to make!

Leaf mold is simply partially decomposed leaves.  It’s either dark brown or black and has a crumbly texture with a pleasant, earthy smell.  I’m most familiar with finding it in my gutters when they haven’t been cleaned out for awhile!  Or you can also find it on the ground in the woods, underneath the layers of dry leaves.   It’s an excellent soil conditioner and it’s free!

So What Does Leaf Mold Do?

Since leaf mold can hold up to 500% of its own weight in water, it helps retain moisture in the soil.  By soaking up the rain, it reduces runoff and help cool roots and foliage in hot weather.  It doesn’t correct pH problems in the soil but will help to level things out.  It’s proven to condition and reduce the density of the soil so much that plant roots have an easier time penetrating the soil and getting nutrients.  Bottom line, it’s good for the garden!

How Do You Make Leaf Mold?

Making leaf mold is a “cold” process which is different than the “hot” method of making regular compost.  Instead of bacteria breaking down the material, leaf mold decomposition is primarily accomplished by fungi.   So, if you want the least amount of effort, just rake up the leaves in a pile and leave them alone for two or three years.  Pretty easy, right?

However, just a little effort will get quicker results.   Since shredded leaves don’t pack together as easily and smaller pieces decompose more quickly, it’s a good idea to shred the leaves before adding them to the pile. You can mow over leaves several times to shred them, or you may need a leaf shredder if you have loads of leaves,  or you can use a handheld lightweight leaf mulcher like the WORX TriVac

After the leaves are shredded, it’s best to contain them in a manageable area where they won’t blow away.  Of course, you could build your own container but these wire compost bins are very effective and affordable.  In fact, some people like to have several cages – one for each stage in the decomposition process.  You may want to add the optional wire compost bin lid to keep the leaves in place or the compost bin cover so you can extend the composting season even longer.

The wire compost bin also helps keep the leaves together so you can maintain the proper moisture level.  The leaves need to be kept moist, not soaking wet!  In fact, lining the compost bin with cardboard isn’t a bad idea if you live in a dry climate.  The cardboard helps to retain the appropriate moisture level for the decomposition process.  (Remember to add a cover, too)  And occasionally, it’s good to lift and stir the leaves a bit to add fresh oxygen to the mix.

Now that wasn’t difficult was it?  Just a few steps plus a little time and you’ll have a soil conditioner that will make your gardens shine. 

How Do You Use Leaf Mold?

Ideally, it’s ready to use when it soft and crumbly.  You can incorporate it right into the soil, add it to new garden beds instead of peat moss, incorporate into containers, add to the soil in a shade garden, or enhance any soil that’s already too heavy or sandy (or too much clay, like my yard).  When you see what a difference it makes, I guarantee you’ll wish you had more to go around!

You may choose to use leaf mold like garden mulch around your vegetable plants, shrubs, or perennials.  Make sure you keep it several inches away from the base area or crown of the plant and no more than 3″ thick.

A couple of years ago during the spring, I decided to spread around the pile of leaf mold mulch I had been building behind my garden shed.  I added several wheelbarrows full of leaf mulch to one of my perennial gardens in the side yard and what a difference in the flower production and the soil quality!  That perennial bed put on a great show during the entire season and I know it was due to the spring dressing of leaf mold garden mulch.

So, if you haven’t taken advantage of this free gardening gift from Mother Nature you need to start now!  And if you have a gardening friend who has access to an abundance of leaves this fall, consider a wire compost bin, lid, or cover as great gardening gifts to help them make their own premium mulch!

NOTE:  For more information about composting, read “Will My Compost Tumbler Cook It Up Before Winter?”, “Save $60 on WORX 3-in-1 Compact Blower/Mulcher/Yard Vac“, or “Compost Is Black Gold and Green“.  (Some offers and special pricing may have expired.)

Making your own leaf mold mulch gets our green thumbs up!