Smart and sustainable ways to use fall foliage in your garden
Fall leaves are like gold for your garden. They serve as mulch, compost, soil conditioner, and insect hotel all in one.
Candace Godwin photo
It’s best to shred larger leaves before using them for mulch, leaf mold, or compost. A mower with a bagger attachment makes quick work of the job.
Candace Godwin photo
Avoid using any diseased or chemically treated leaves for mulch. These maple leaves have been infected with the powdery mildew fungus.
Candace Godwin photo
Up to 80% of nutrients absorbed by trees from the ground end up in their leaves. These leaves contain twice the mineral content of manure, making them an excellent soil amendment.
To prevent leaves from blowing off raised beds, place a cattle panel or a piece of mesh garden fencing on top. This also keeps critters from digging in the beds.
Ladybug in leaves; Caption: Fallen leaves offer insulation and protection for ladybugs and other beneficial insects that overwinter in your landscape.
Candace Godwin photo
Leaf mold before and after; Caption: It can take up to a year for leaves to decompose in the pile, but the results are invaluable for the garden.
Candace Godwin photo
A wire or plastic mesh bin, as shown, can help contain leaves. Leaf mold makes an excellent soil conditioner and amendment for new raised beds, too.
It’s the sound of the season: the constant whir of the ubiquitous leaf blower. Homeowners everywhere are busy blowing heaps of garden gold into the streets. Soon, the sound of rumbling front loaders and dump trucks will dominate as they haul away curbside piles of fallen leaves.
Garden gold, you say? Yes! As gardeners, we spend hundreds of dollars each year on compost, soil amendments and mulch to keep our gardens healthy and thriving. Yet every fall, we discard one of the best, free ingredients for making these materials.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
