Leaf mould – it’s easy to make, simple to use
Living Willow
Leaf mould is simply the result of letting leaves sit and decompose over time.
It is dark brown to black, has a pleasant earthy aroma and a crumbly texture, much like compost. In fact, leaf mould is just that: composted leaves.
Its impact on the general health of soil in the garden can be dramatic.
You may be wondering why you shouldn’t just make compost. Why bother making a separate pile just for leaves? The answer is that while compost is wonderful for improving soil texture and fertility, leaf mould is far superior as a soil amendment. It doesn’t provide much in the way of nutrition, so you will still need to add compost or other organic fertilisers to increase fertility. Leaf mould is essentially a soil conditioner.
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The one thing you’ll need to keep in mind is that leaf mould doesn’t happen overnight. Leaves are all carbon, which takes longer to break down than nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings. The decomposition process takes six to 12 months. The good news is that it’s six to twelve months with very little work.
The first method consists of either piling your leaves in a corner of the yard or into a wood or wire bin. The pile or bin should be at least three feet wide and tall. Pile up your leaves, and thoroughly dampen the entire pile. Let it sit, checking the moisture level occasionally during dry periods and adding water if necessary.
Or you could just use a large plastic bin-bag. Fill the bag with leaves and moisten them. Seal the bag and then cut some holes or slits in the bag for air flow. Let it sit.
There are a couple of things you can do to speed up the process:
Before adding leaves to your pile or bag, run over them a couple of times with your lawn mower. Smaller pieces will decompose more quickly.
Use a garden fork to turn your leaf pile every few weeks. If you are using the plastic bag method, just turn it over or give it a firm shake. This will introduce air into the process, which speeds decomposition.
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