In addition to use for seedlings, potting on and plant containers, leaf mold is ideal for mulching around shallow rooted moisture loving plants: e.g. It contains a natural herbicide called juglones and can harm your plants. It’s not a fertilizer and is very poor in nutrients. Leaf mold from deciduous trees will be richer in potassium and phosphorous than nitrogen. In this form it will absorb rainwater and during the hotter summer months, it will help to keep the root system of your plants cooler. Most leaves are slightly acidic when they fall, with a pH below 6. 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. Leaves can be stored in a circular wire (such as chicken wire) bin or piled in an inconspicuous area in your yard. Conifer needles will eventually break down, but may take two to three years to decay. In this #shorts video, I take you through some of the benefits of using leaf mold in the garden. The University took a chemical analysis of 100 leaf samples across New Jersey. Over time, annual applications of leaf mold mulch can significantly improve the quality of your soil and increase in beneficial soil life. Remove them from patios, decks and paths to stop them becoming slippery as well as reap the benefits of making your own soil improver. In a nutshell, carbon is the highest concentration element. Leaf mold brings many benefits to your garden soil, such as: Adding organic matter to the soil which increases water-holding capacity Feeding the soil food web by increasing biological and worm activity Keeping your plant’s roots cool by regulating soil temperature moisture and retention In addition to mowing over the leaves to speed up the process, you can turn the pile or give the plastic bag a firm shake. However, you decide to use your leaves, your garden, and the environment will reap the benefits. However, as they breakdown, they will eventually release their nutrients, and its best to think of using leaves as a long-term fertility solution. Leaves are an abundance in my backyard since trees surround my property. Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies around the world and studies have shown this past time may improve mental and physical health.  Whether or not you possess gardening personality traits, we want to coach you so you too, can reap this hobbies benefits. First of all, mold can be beneficial to the gardener. Along with giving nutrients gradually to plants, it … The benefits of leaf mould cannot be overstated. Rutgers University conducted a study about plant nutrients found in municipal leaves. This will keep the leaves more consistently moist and warm. As a surface mulch leaf mold is effective too, insulating the soil from extreme fluctuations in soil temperature, keeping the surface from compacting so water can easily enter, and helping the soil retain moisture by slowing evaporation. According to some university studies, the addition of leaf mold increased water retention in soils by over 50 percent. And of course, your garden soil will thank you! Leaf mold is great for adding to your garden because it helps the soil retain moisture. Leaf mold is more of a soil amendment. Leaf mold is an organic matter and a soil amendment that is simply a result of composted tree leaves. Leaf mold is like a soft pillow, which is naturally found in the forest just above the soil. When applied to your garden and decompose, they increase the soil’s organic matter and it’s capacity to hold water and improve soil tilth. Leaf mold will slow soil moisture evaporation during hot summers and will slow soil cooling in autumn. The more the leaf varieties, the better. What this means is that applying leaf mold to your garden will boost soil life, will provide minerals for your plants, and will improve the structure of your garden’s soil. So we know that leaves have a high level of carbon, which is a carbohydrate that provides energy. One of the great benefits from using leaf mold compost is that it will hold 500% more of its own weight in water. Besides helping retain moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation, leaf mold also absorbs rainwater to reduce runoff, and in hot weather, it helps cool roots and foliage. They are ready when it looks like a black-brown spongy material, crumbly and smell like you’re walking in a forest. You want your microbes and worms to be happy and healthy. Leaf mold is used as a soil amendment because it provides nutrients and a moist growing medium for plants. Since the leaf mold is a cold process, it won’t kill the fungal spores, and it can re-infect your trees. Given the copious amounts of dry leaves available in the fall you may want to consider making leaf mold. Leaf mold also has high … Use it as mulch or incorporate it into the soil, or both. Small thin leaves such as birch break down fairly quickly, while large leathery ones such as chestnut benefit from being shredded first. The research was to see if the leaves are a beneficial resource for agricultural soil and crops. Before adding leaves to your pile or bag, run over them a couple of times with your lawn mower. Rake your leaves or collect leaves from a neighbor into a pile. The leaves offer a significant amount of nutrients for the soil, but not all are immediately available after application. By improving soil structure, it also encourages beneficial bacteria and home to earthworms. A soil pH test may … Leaf mold is nothing more than well-composted tree leaves and it’s miraculous for building soil. Your email address will not be published. Organic matter also provides the perfect habitat for beneficial bacteria and earthworms in your garden. Hugelkultur: Permaculture’s Ultimate Raised Bed, 3 Ways to Make Your Own Seed Starting Pots. The table below shows the nutrient concentration extracted from the leaves. It’s good stuff! Up to 80% of all nutrients that trees extract from the ground end up in its leaves. At once it makes the soil spongier and helps it retain moisture and air, which benefits plant roots. Leaf mold adds valuable organic matter to the soil. It will improve water retention, soil structure and drainage as well as improve the habitat for valuable organisms in the garden like earth worms and beneficial bacteria. Kimberly is passionate about all things sustainable gardening and reaping its physical and mental benefits. Add the mold on the soil’s surface, and the worms and microorganisms will do the rest. Despite its ugly appearance and potentially hazardous effects, mold can offer some great benefits. The first is that it can hold up to 500 percent of its own weight in water. Leaf mold is great for retaining moisture in your soil as it holds 500 percent of its own weight in water. Two main factors necessary to create leaf mold are sufficient moisture and the presence of oxygen from the air. 2) Leaf Mold improves soil fertility which means it provides nutrients to the soil and improves soil structure so it will become nice and loose over time. Sep 21, 2020 | Building Healthy Soil, Gardening, How-To and Tips | 0 comments. Evergreen leaves and conifer needles take far longer to rot and should not be included in great quantities, and then only when chopped. Leaf Mold is the result of leaves that have fully decomposed and now have a crumbly texture. Leaf mold is a soil amendment that can be used in containers, potting soil mixes, seed starting, raised beds and in ground gardens. Well draining soil prevents plant roots from sitting in excess water. It’s best to shred them using your mower so they’ll break down faster. Leaf mold is a form of compost, which gradually changes into the humus before it breakdown due to slow fungus. However, as the leaves … Read our privacy policy. Depending on how you prepared the leaves, decomposition can take up to two years. If leaves are placed in a pile uncut, it can take up to two years to turn into leaf mold. There are two main factors need for making a leaf mold: – The presence of adequate moisture and oxygen in the air. Leaf mold provides a number of fantastic benefits for your garden: Increases the water holding capacity of the soil. It’s not just the lawn that should be cleared of leaves, either. A soil test will tell you if you need to add nitrogen to your planting beds; this can be done by simply adding well-rotted steer manure. Leaf mold can easily compete with rock dust for being a source of minerals for your … Most leaves can be turned into leaf mould, but some take longer to compost than others. layer around shrubs, trees, in flower beds and gardens, or any spot that will benefit from a biodegradable covering or amendment. Now, who wouldn’t want that? As the leaves continue to decay, carbon levels decrease, and nitrogen levels increase, it eventually brings more nitrogen availability to the plants. The best leaves for leaf mould Making a leaf mould bin She holds an Associate’s in Horticulture, a Bachelor’s in Business, and currently earning a Master’s in Business Administration. However, I take the time to rake enough leaves to place into a pile to create nutrient-rich leaf mold for my containers and garden beds. Leaf mould creators, listen up! She also worked at a 276-acre horticulture research farm as a Research Technician for five years. Alternatively you can just pile up your leaves and use them later when brown materials are scarce. It helps to develop clay soil, sandy soil or rocky soil to turn into good quality soil. Leaf mold is said to have very good water retaining capacities and can be used for potting mixes, or used for enriching soil. When you directly apply leaves into or on top of your garden soil, the microorganisms will utilize the soil’s nitrogen to break down the leaves. It helps to loosen heavy soil, hold the soil moisture, confirm proper aeration and drainage system. It helps speed up the leaf mold process to be ready in about a year. Check out our homemade potting soil mix and substitute leaf mold for compost. “It also creates the perfect conditions for the community of beneficial organisms that dwell in your soil” (Galloway, par.1). A few wooden posts and … Leaf Mold – Natures Soil Conditioner. Also, stay away from using walnut leaves if you plan to use the leaf mold in your garden. Leaf mold can hold up to 500 times its own weight in water” … Kimberly has over 25 years in traditional and digital marketing experience with eight years in higher education. In fact, leaf mold doesn't really offer very many nutrients but conditions the soil. Your email address will not be published. Tree leaves have high carbon, low nitrogen ratio (60:1), depending on leaf species, compared to an ideal organic material (24:1). Leaf mold is a powerful soil conditioner. 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. Leaf mold is a great soil conditioner. Leaf mold brings many benefits to your garden soil, such as: Do you want to get started making leaf mold? Spread a three-inch (7.5 cm.) The number of fallen leaves can become overwhelming to try and figure out what to do with them. This post may contain affiliate links. Remember leaf mold retains water at rate of 500% of its own weight so it makes a great alternative to peat moss. Don’t include leaves that show any fungal disease issues. But you can add nutrient rich comfrey leaves to the material when preparing a mix for potting on or plant containers. If that wasn’t enough, leaf mold also feeds earthworms and the beneficial … You can use leaves from all sorts of deciduous trees to make leaf mould, but those that are thick – for example, horse chestnut, sweet chestnut and sycamore – are best shredded first. The Benefits of Leaf Mold. It utilizes a cool-generated process using fungus to breakdown the leaves. Though leaves are not high in nitrogen, phosphorus … Your email address will not be published. Uses. By well-composted, I mean leaves that have been cold composting for better than a year. Benefits of Leaf Mold. Benefits of Leaf Mold. Leaf mold is a a form of compost produced by the slow fungal breakdown of leaves before it finally turns into humus. Kimberly lives in Kansas City, MO, USDA Zone 6. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That being said, if the leaves have time to break down before you sow your next crop, it offers an excellent soil amendment. Leaf mold also improves soil structure and provides a fantastic habitat for soil life, including earthworms and beneficial bacteria. The energy increases the development of bacteria and fungi in the soil and uses up the nitrogen. Once they help rake the leaves into a pile, they can jump and play in the leaves before placing them in their storage bins. It will attract a wide range of beneficial microorganisms and insects. Instead, create a large pile, wet them down to make leaf mold! © 2020. Planting beds conditioned with leaf mold may become slightly acid. Watch your soil reap the benefits! Leaf mold adds organic matter and other nutrients when you add it to your garden. It holds more water by weight than peat moss. Log in, The Best Way to Get Rid of Pill Bugs in the Garden. Making leaf mold is less work and more straightforward to manage than composting. Leaf mold greatly improves the structure and water-holding capacity of soil. This will introduce air into the process, which speeds decomposition. Once you’ve collected into a pile, mow over the leaves to shred them. Or chop them up for quicker decomposition by mowing over the pile. Leaf mould improves soil drainage and aeration and reduces soil compaction. Required fields are marked *. Leaf mold is excellent at retaining moisture in the soil. 4) By using leaves as a mulch, you are helping the environment. Leaf mold really is natures compost, it needs no special treatment, makes a great natural mulch, it does not have much in the way of nutrients, however it does have a few hidden benefits. Learn how to compost leaves quickly to make a nutrient-rich leaf compost that will benefit your garden. With expertise in horticulture, garden design, and maintenance, she has her sights on coaching others so they too can begin their gardening journey. Benefits of Leaf Mold Benefits of the leaf decomposing pile is to improve garden soil’s ability of moisture retention. It could also mean you won’t have to worry about your plants as much when dry spells hit during the hottest parts of summer. If you decide to use trash bags, wet down the leaves and poke holes in the bag to allow air circulation. Making leaf mold is an easy way to get your children involved in learning how to reduce, reuse, and recycle. You can apply a layer of shredded leaves (3-6 inches) around the base of trees, shrubs, and flower beds. Leaf mold is essentially a soil conditioner. And when used as a soil amendment, it can increase water retention in the soil by 50% or more. 1  Smaller pieces will decompose more quickly. This leads to less watering during the growing season. Once the leaves are decomposed, the amendment can be mixed into your garden soil or container. Nonetheless, please don’t throw them out to the curbside and fill valuable landfill space. How to use autumn leaves to improve garden soil: Alan Titchmarsh’s top tips. Luckily, I get out of constant raking during the fall months since my husband owns a mulcher mower. especially fruit (Gooseberries, Red Currants...) … Is Your Seed Alive? Leaf mold is considered to be a soil conditioner. Using leaf mold as a soil amendment is a common and productive practice. Use a shovel or garden fork to turn your leaf pile every few weeks. Don’t want to make leaf mold? Mix it into the top layer or use 3-4 inches as a mulch. It does not supply the plants with nutrients like compost does, rather, it improves soil structure. Below is a step by step guide to get started. It increases the water retention of soils. 1. Affiliate Disclosure - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy, Anti-inflammatory Foods You Can Grow In Your Garden. When decomposed, leaves provide the perfect habitat and food source for your soil’s microbes and earthworms. As a surface mulch leaf mold is effective too, insulating the soil from … You will know when the leaves are breaking down because they will turn into a black-brown spongy material and will smell like you’re walking in a forest. This natural soil conditioner improves water-holding capacity, enhances soil structure (and therefore water and air movement within the soil), and provide habitat for the soil’s micro–and macro– You can also place them in trash bags. If you are using the pile or bin method, cover your pile with a plastic tarp. Leaf mold has a number of great benefits but first let’s mention what it’s not. Some studies have shown soils have retained 50% more water after the addition of leaf mold. Secondly, the added mixture will improved soil so that it is well-draining. To enjoy year after year, use multiple bins, piles, and bags for a fresh continuous yearly batch. Leaf mold is very versatile and can be used all throughout the garden. Leaf mold has several great attributes. Water retention – mixed into your garden soil, leaf mold will increase water retention in your garden soil making it easily available for plants. When the leaves decompose, the carbon is released and helps the soil retain water, structure, and fertility. It absorbs rainwater to reduce runoff, and in hot weather, it helps cool roots and foliage. If you want to … On the other hand, traditional compost utilizes a heat-generated process using bacteria to breakdown the organic matter. The Hearty Garden.  All Rights Reserved. Mix it into potting soil for added aeration and water retention. Not only is it less labor-intensive than a traditional compost pile, it only calls for one ingredient – fallen leaves. Check on them every so often to make sure they are moist. This means that the soil retains water better, often over 50 percent better water retention than soil without leaf mold. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Leaf mold is a soil amendment. Plus leaves contain twice the mineral content of manure. The majority of the nutrients listed above need a little help. If you are using the plastic bag method, just turn it over or give it a firm shake. It is gradually disintegrated. A simple wire or mesh container will do the job nicely. 3) The layer of leaves protect and feed organisms including earthworms. You can find a spot in your yard and wait a year or so for the leaves to break down. If you are growing plants the same time you apply leaves in your garden bed, it can result in a nitrogen deficiency in the plants. At once it makes the soil spongier and helps it retain moisture and air, which benefits plant roots. By definition leaf mold if simply decomposed leaves, with it being a natural substance beneath deciduous trees. Tree leaves are a nutrient hero. So, what does this mean? Moreover, its low nutrient content benefits the early development of healthy seedling roots. Pile up your leaves or collect leaves from a biodegradable covering or amendment fertility! 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