How to Create Mulch from Leaves

Shredding leaves to create nutrient-rich mulch can be easily done by filling a trashcan one-third of the way with raked leaves and using a string trimmer to chop them up. Create airy mulch from fallen leaves with tips from an organic gardener in this free video on healthy gardens.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• gardening
• edible gardens
• plants

[Organigasmic]

Great Idea, can't believe I never thought of it. I have been debating buying one of those leaf shredders, this will save me!

[lazerbeamer444]

can you use the leaf right away?

[250square]

@MrSybertek I think what you're both referring to is how adding carbon (leaves, straw, etc.) temporarily ties up nitrogen as microbes use it to break down the carbon, making that nitrogen unavailable for use by growing plants. So it would not be a great idea to till in a bunch of leaves just prior to planting. However, adding leaves to the soil well in advance of planting will add nutrients to the soil and improve structure. So you're both right.

[MrSybertek]

@FloralWhite88 Actually that is wrong. They replenish the soil with nutrients as the microbes do the decomposing of the leaves. They take no nitrogen from the soil whatsoever.

[sysrecords2010]

NOTE if ur using a petrol strimmer safety first is what she forgot cause it would shred straight through that bin get the metal one out

[truemirror]

@NathanIsSexi I agree, but for us women who doesn't have a man that is willing to do these things or buy all those neat tools that will do the job, this is good to know. except.. I have a good idea that the neighbors would be rolling on the ground laughing their butts off if they watched this being done.

[I3addogy]

I'd rather compost them myself. Straw also makes good mulch and you don't waste any electricity or gas chopping it up.

[NathanIsSexi]

this is what you get when you give a woman a mans tool...

[FloralWhite88]

I collected leaves from all over my neighborhood last fall. I chopped them up with the lawnmower and spread them throughout my HUGE garden. 3 days later they all blew away =(

[FloralWhite88]

@jihadacadien mixing leaves into your garden soil is not a good idea. As the leaves decompose they rob the soil of valuable nitrogen. Its much better to place the chopped leaves on top of the soil.