If you are using the pile or bin method, cover your pile with a plastic tarp. As the leaves continue to decay, carbon levels decrease, and nitrogen levels increase, it eventually brings more nitrogen availability to the plants. And when used as a soil amendment, it can increase water retention in the soil by 50% or more. The leaves offer a significant amount of nutrients for the soil, but not all are immediately available after application. Check out our homemade potting soil mix and substitute leaf mold for compost. It helps to loosen heavy soil, hold the soil moisture, confirm proper aeration and drainage system. Conifer needles will eventually break down, but may take two to three years to decay. If you are using the plastic bag method, just turn it over or give it a firm shake. Leaf mold will slow soil moisture evaporation during hot summers and will slow soil cooling in autumn. If you decide to use trash bags, wet down the leaves and poke holes in the bag to allow air circulation. Also, stay away from using walnut leaves if you plan to use the leaf mold in your garden. Rake your leaves or collect leaves from a neighbor into a pile. It does not supply the plants with nutrients like compost does, rather, it improves soil structure. especially fruit (Gooseberries, Red Currants...) … It’s best to shred them using your mower so they’ll break down faster. Once they help rake the leaves into a pile, they can jump and play in the leaves before placing them in their storage bins. In fact, leaf mold doesn't really offer very many nutrients but conditions the soil. Using leaf mold as a soil amendment is a common and productive practice. It contains a natural herbicide called juglones and can harm your plants. A few wooden posts and … Uses. Leaf mold is great for adding to your garden because it helps the soil retain moisture. One of the great benefits from using leaf mold compost is that it will hold 500% more of its own weight in water. To enjoy year after year, use multiple bins, piles, and bags for a fresh continuous yearly batch. Evergreens such as holly, Aucuba and cherry laurel, are better shredded and added to the compost heap, where they will break down faster than if added to the leafmould pile. Leaf mold greatly improves the structure and water-holding capacity of soil. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. However, as they breakdown, they will eventually release their nutrients, and its best to think of using leaves as a long-term fertility solution. The Hearty Garden.  All Rights Reserved. Before adding leaves to your pile or bag, run over them a couple of times with your lawn mower. Leaf mold is nothing more than well-composted tree leaves and it’s miraculous for building soil. Instead, create a large pile, wet them down to make leaf mold! It’s good stuff! Up to 80% of all nutrients that trees extract from the ground end up in its leaves. Once you’ve collected into a pile, mow over the leaves to shred them. That being said, if the leaves have time to break down before you sow your next crop, it offers an excellent soil amendment. Alternatively you can just pile up your leaves and use them later when brown materials are scarce. Leaves can be stored in a circular wire (such as chicken wire) bin or piled in an inconspicuous area in your yard. Leaf Mold is the result of leaves that have fully decomposed and now have a crumbly texture. Organic matter also provides the perfect habitat for beneficial bacteria and earthworms in your garden. Watch your soil reap the benefits! Luckily, I get out of constant raking during the fall months since my husband owns a mulcher mower. Leaf mold is more of a soil amendment. Two main factors necessary to create leaf mold are sufficient moisture and the presence of oxygen from the air. How to Test for Seed Viability, Grow Herbs and Flowers Together In Your Landscape, Adding organic matter to the soil which increases, Feeding the soil food web by increasing biological and worm activity, Keeping your plant’s roots cool by regulating soil temperature moisture and retention, Slowly releasing nutrients and fertilizing your plants and increase yield, Building healthier plants to boost disease resistance, Improves soil structure that helps with drainage issues. Learn how to compost leaves quickly to make a nutrient-rich leaf compost that will benefit your garden. Though leaves are not high in nitrogen, phosphorus … Leaf mold adds valuable organic matter to the soil. Benefits of Leaf Mold. Tree leaves have high carbon, low nitrogen ratio (60:1), depending on leaf species, compared to an ideal organic material (24:1). Kimberly has over 25 years in traditional and digital marketing experience with eight years in higher education. According to some university studies, the addition of leaf mold increased water retention in soils by over 50 percent. Benefits of Leaf Mold Benefits of the leaf decomposing pile is to improve garden soil’s ability of moisture retention. Leaf mold is considered to be a soil conditioner. Despite its ugly appearance and potentially hazardous effects, mold can offer some great benefits. It helps to develop clay soil, sandy soil or rocky soil to turn into good quality soil. Moreover, its low nutrient content benefits the early development of healthy seedling roots. Once the leaves are decomposed, the amendment can be mixed into your garden soil or container. Your email address will not be published. Leaf mold is a great soil conditioner. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Below shows the nutrient concentration extracted from the ground end up in its leaves, Anti-inflammatory Foods can... 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