There is. lots of leaves It’s outside my window, but I think your perspective might be the same. This carpet of dead leaves is often seen as a nuisance, but important elements of the garden.
Push them into flower beds and borders in a 3-inch layer to protect roots and act as a winter mulch to keep out insects. As they decompose, they add nutrients to the soil and strengthen plants in the spring.
others make it happen compost pileThese, along with leftover food, weeds, and spent annuals and perennials, are cooked into what we gardeners call “black gold.” But it has another use fallen leaves It may not have caught your eye: humus.
Benefits of humus
Easier than compost but just as beneficialleaf humus contains only one ingredient: leaves. Increases water retention in sandy soils, improves drainage in clay soils, regulates soil temperature, suppress weeds When applied over soil in beds and borders.
Compost is superior in terms of nutrients, but mulch is second to none. Supports earthworms, beneficial insects and soil microorganisms, increasing plant health and vigor.
Almost any type of leaf can be used to create leaf mold. Small leaves like beech and maple will decompose in just a few months, but large, thick leaves like oak leaves can take up to two years.
Avoid using black walnut leaves as they contain a chemical called juglone that is toxic to some plants. Although fully composted black walnut leaves are generally safe to use, this compound can remain in the leaf mold, and the leaf mold does not age as long.
How to make leaf mold
Before making leaf mulch, you need to decide where to put the mulch. You can fence fallen leaves with wire mesh, pile them in black contractor-grade plastic trash bags with lots of holes for air circulation, or place them in regular compost bins.
Anyway, add the leaves lasagna-style, alternating between sprinkling with water and lightly spraying as needed. nitrogen fertilizerthis will help speed up the process (regular lawn fertilizer is sufficient).
Check the leaf pile every few weeks and water as needed to keep it lightly moist.
In the spring, it should resemble humus. Humus is a black, brittle, nutrient-rich organic matter. protective layer On the forest floor.
Just like you would make mulch or compost, spread the mulch throughout your beds and borders and add some. potting mix in your container. Nutrients are released into the soil, benefiting the plants throughout the growing season.
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Jessica Damiano writes a weekly gardening column for The Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here Get weekly gardening tips and advice.
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For more AP Gardening stories, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/gardening.
