Leaves are valuable tools you can use in your garden to great benefit. They can save you a lot of money when used as garden fertilizers, mulch and compost, but so many homeowners end up just throwing them away, unaware of their potential.
We’re here to change that!
It’s time for everyone to know the great uses of this incredible natural solution that on top of many qualities we’ll discuss later, is totally free!
“Learning never exhausts the mind. – Leonardo da Vinci
Shred them!
The first and easiest thing you can do with your leaves is simply shred them, which can be done with your own lawnmower. There is such a thing as a leaf shredder, but unless you already own one, the investment is not necessary to shred your leaves – your lawn mower can do the job just fine.
There are no downsides to using leaves in your garden. They are 100% free, they are rich in nutrients your garden needs, they allow your lawn to hold water for longer (meaning you can water it less often), and to top it off, they increase your soil’s microbial life.
After they are properly shredded, your leaves can be used in many ways which we’re covering below!
Mulch
Spread your shredded leaves around your lawn and garden – this turns them into mulch, which is great for the health of your landscape. They work as a soft fertilizer and protect your lawn during frosty weather, and by Spring they will be gone for good, renewing the cycle.
And as stated before, it’s completely free, meaning you don’t ever have to spend money on premade mulch, which often comes with more aggressive additives.
Use as insulation
Still on the subject of cold winter days, you can use shredded leaves as a way to insulate more fragile perennials and vegetables. Cover them with a thick layer of shredded leaves and they will help protect them from frost!
Same goes for potted plants – if you really need an extra layer of protection for a particularly exposed plant, don’t be afraid to use shredded leaves.
Make leaf mold
Leaf mold is basically your own personal rich mulch that can be used on your garden. To make your own, take shredded leaves and leave them inside a bin or bag in your garden and let them sit for a long time – like, a really long time. Anywhere from one to three years is the baseline.
When they have molded into a dark brown texture, they can be used as homemade mulch!
Compost pile
Mix shredded leaves into your compost pile to make the whole thing a bit less aggressive on your lawn and garden. They will naturally blend and decompose once set, which greatly increases the health of your lawn.
In fact, you can make you own compost pile from shredded leaves, straws, corn stalks, twigs, and organic compounds like manure and grass clippings. Add a layer of topsoil and boom, you’ve got yourself homemade compost pile.
Need more help with a landscaping project? Talk to a landscaping architect today and get free quotes in your area!
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