100% leaf mulch this year - thoughts on deficiencies? - Page 8

drew51 · February 28, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyoldgooseman

We have lots of leaves here that I would love to use. But what can you do to keep them from blowing away?

I shred mine so they are not as fluffy You can then wet them, and here they now have 3 feet of snow on them. they are staying put.

BigVanVader · February 28, 2015

I cover mine with cheap 2 mil plastic held down with a few ground staples.

4season · February 28, 2015

I use a red colored leaf blower/vacuum as a vacuum. If the leaves are dry they are really broken to bits by the metal impeller. Some dust size, most about 1/4 inch or so. Reduces the volume a lot, and better size for the worms to eat. Most of what I have is under an old sheet of plastic but I don't think it would blow away. The electric blower/vac was purchased at HD for $60 or $80.

bughunter99 · March 1, 2015

I pile my leaves in the driveway and go over them a bunch of times so that they are ground quite fine, then I use them as a surface mulch. On the surface, evenly shredded they are quite attractive, reduce watering needs and are very effective at keeping many weeds down. Earthworms love them and will help aerate the soil by dragging the leaves down deep.

Couple key things.
1. Do not allow the mulch to go all the way up to the stems of the plants.
2. Make sure your soil is nutrient rich prior to mulching via a soil test. If not amend as needed first.
3. Make sure your soil is well watered before putting down the leaf mulch.

I love this stuff, it is totally organic, works great, is free and over the years has made me have some really great soil.

MarcH. · December 17, 2015

So how did this pan out?

Curious because watching this guy work magic with his leaves has me interested.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...xe9zmfjjsJrRwc

ScottinAtlanta · December 23, 2015

Beautiful. I am repeating it this year, but allowing the leaves to compost a little before adding them to the beds, rather than adding them fresh. Fresh leaves, even mulched, tended to clump a little and form a water barrier, while composting them a couple of weeks eliminated that problem completely. But I am 100% leaves now, rather than manure.

Gardeneer · December 29, 2015

I think when fall leaves are used as mulch should not have a significant effect on the soil pH.
The lease should be on the acidic side by not much. Just guessing.

December 17, 2015	#110
MarcH. Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 67	So how did this pan out? Curious because watching this guy work magic with his leaves has me interested. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...xe9zmfjjsJrRwc Last edited by MarcH.; December 17, 2015 at 02:22 PM.

February 28, 2015	#107
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	I cover mine with cheap 2 mil plastic held down with a few ground staples.

February 28, 2015	#108
4season Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: albuquerque Posts: 308	I use a red colored leaf blower/vacuum as a vacuum. If the leaves are dry they are really broken to bits by the metal impeller. Some dust size, most about 1/4 inch or so. Reduces the volume a lot, and better size for the worms to eat. Most of what I have is under an old sheet of plastic but I don't think it would blow away. The electric blower/vac was purchased at HD for $60 or $80.

March 1, 2015	#109
bughunter99 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: zone 5 Posts: 821	I pile my leaves in the driveway and go over them a bunch of times so that they are ground quite fine, then I use them as a surface mulch. On the surface, evenly shredded they are quite attractive, reduce watering needs and are very effective at keeping many weeds down. Earthworms love them and will help aerate the soil by dragging the leaves down deep. Couple key things. 1. Do not allow the mulch to go all the way up to the stems of the plants. 2. Make sure your soil is nutrient rich prior to mulching via a soil test. If not amend as needed first. 3. Make sure your soil is well watered before putting down the leaf mulch. I love this stuff, it is totally organic, works great, is free and over the years has made me have some really great soil.

December 23, 2015	#111
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	Beautiful. I am repeating it this year, but allowing the leaves to compost a little before adding them to the beds, rather than adding them fresh. Fresh leaves, even mulched, tended to clump a little and form a water barrier, while composting them a couple of weeks eliminated that problem completely. But I am 100% leaves now, rather than manure.

December 29, 2015	#112
Gardeneer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7 Posts: 4,916	I think when fall leaves are used as mulch should not have a significant effect on the soil pH. The lease should be on the acidic side by not much. Just guessing.