Fall Leaves Are A Gardeners Best Friend

As I have researched, nature has its own recycling method that is so beneficial to gardens.  Fall leaves are a great addition to composting. We have plenty of leaves on our property so I am going to put them to work.  They turn such a gorgeous color but quickly turn brown and cover the ground. 

Autumn leaves are considered a “brown” element needed in composting.  They are a source of carbon, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and minerals.  These are really a free addition to soil which can be incorporated directly into the soil or put as a “brown” element to the compost pile.  I plan to use the leaves both ways.

Soil addition of shredded leaves is so valuable in maintaining a good soil balance and is nature’s way of recycling. Shredding the leaves speeds up the decomposition.  We have a STHL leaf vac which also shreds the leaves into smaller pieces. Mixing these directly into the soil easy. We put a layer of leaves then turn over the soil to incorporate the leaves.  Nature does the rest. By spring we feel we have a good nutritious soil to work with when planting.

I also use shredded leaves as a type of mulch for existing plants, shrubs, and trees.  The leaves are sprinkled around the flower beds to protect perennials bulbs, shrubs, and fruit trees.

Compost is viewed at “black gold” and fall leaves can be a key ingredient.  We have started a compost pile and it seems it can be a slippery slope when it comes to balancing the compost. 

We have a small garden and am already seeing the ordinary household and yard waste is not going to give me enough compost for my garden.  Leaves is a good “brown” material so I will seize the moment with fallen leaves from our 15 oak trees! That will be A LOT of leaves. The balance for composting is about 2:1 between carbon-rich (“browns”) and nitrogen-rich (“greens”).  Oak leaves are particularly good for garden soils however, in a compost pile they tend to mat together so shredding will hopefully help the breakdown process. The smaller the pieces within the compost pile the better as the process may move along faster. 

There are many resources available for detailed composting for beginners. There is a chapter in the following book which really explains composting start to finish.