How to Make Leaf Mold (3 Methods)

[@peggycole7162]

Interesting story here - when my 50 yo maple was alive, of course it dropped huge amounts of leaves. I would rake them into a huGe pile, all the neighbor kids would come play in it. By the time they were tired, the leaves were well crushed. Then I'd pile them into 33 gallon trash bags, drag them out back for the leaf mold pile. Those kids never knew how much work they saved me! It was a huge tree & we did this maybe 3 times every fall. The tree died, the kids grew up. They told me they missed the leaves

[@codysaunders7348]

I'm a mushroom cultivator and I have a secret gem for all you wonderful gardeners. There is a beautiful, gourmet, purple mushroom called a Blewit. I grow these mushrooms on piles of straw and leaf matter, that is their favourite food. The mycelium breaks down the organics rapidly and in the Fall, you get incredibly delicious and beautiful mushrooms. Thanks for the videos man!

[@lukealexander4512]

Cody, would wine caps work? I would grow blewits, but Florida does not get the frost that blewits need. If not wine caps, what other mushrooms will work?

[@codysaunders7348]

@@garryw-vc6qm that's the basic procedure, yep

[@Thegardenshallgrow]

Is there a chance other mushrooms would grow? Poisonous ones? I've always wanted to grow mushrooms. Where do you get your spores? I was told you could chop store bought mushroom (just the white kind) and spread the pieces because they have spores.

[@riverunner9978]

I’m no stranger to mushroom cultivation so this is in my list! Thank you . Leaf mold I have .

[@FloridaGirl-]

I had a HUGE pile on my 10 acres. I would collect everyones fall leaf droppings in fall (roughly 50-75 bags). The structure was very solid . Filled to top about 4’ high. Left it open ontop. Fall rains and winter snow compacked it dramatically. Spring came. The grass is growing like crazy. I cut 6 acres. Then get my lawn sweeper and add many sweeper fulls of grass to the leaves. And got my pitcfork and fluffed it all in w/leaves. Then piled cut grass on top. Come end of may early june. Heavy tarp it. And plant squash around the outer edges of pile. Whoaaaa! You wouldnt BELIEVE how huge they were. The pile was ALWAYS MOIST inside. Squash roots would grow under the pile. Come fall. Id harvest the squash. Pull off the vines. Remove tarp. Get my pitch fork. And put all the broken down leaves (BLACK GOLD), ontop of my garden. And get ready to do it all again.

[@christinashawgo6510]

Wow. Thanks!

[@dannyhughes4889]

Sounds like you hit on a winning combination.

[@jeremysnaturebook8242]

I saw bags and bags of leaves in someone’s yard today. The man was thrilled for me to take them off his hands. Almost excited as I was to be taking them!

[@FloridaGirl-]

I’ve done the same thing when I lived up North! Love all the leaves ! It’s excellent!

[@yacabe]

I've been tempted to ask but am so shy. The bagged leaves are just sitting there looking so convenient.

[@sk8queen]

​@@yacabeI just drive up and take them. Folks don't care especially since it takes the trash folks forever to pick them up. I've had the homeowners who actually helped me load them in my car. I get leaves from untreated yards only. Go get the leaves!

[@mikejones3155]

@@yacabego get them , people will be extremely happy you are gonna use them rather than them ending up in landfill

[@FeenixRyzeen]

Love the video! For those of you collecting leaves from random people, be cautious that person may use chemicals on their lawns that leach into their trees root systems.

[@shadyman6346]

5th year gardener here. I’ve been watching your videos for about 4 years or so and trying very much of it. Today, my garden soil would make anyone proud! These soil feeding presentations really work! Beyond my expectations...Thanks!

[@YouTube4me]

The fastest and easiest way to chop up the dry leaves is to lay it on the grass and run the lawn mower over it. It was lightning fast and all captured in the bag. So Easy!

[@mikekuhn2113]

I do the same but just keep blowing into the center. When all chopped rake onto tarp and drag to garden. Bag fills to fast

[@allandoell1025]

Great video. I rototill my leaves directly into my garden in the fall. When spring comes, the many freeze-thaw cycles, tear the leaves apart. A quick rototilling in the spring and the leaves are completely assimilated into the soil. I have done this for 40 years.

[@walkthroughthestorm39]

Thank you so much for this comment. I've been obsessing for weeks about how to quickly and cheaply put organic matter into my semi clay garden soil. It's a horrendously bare patch at the back of the garden that's clay and lower than the rainwater sits. When my dogs go outside they end up filthy. I have a tonne bag to collect the leaves so I'll dig them all in for the winter. Also going to fill a compost bin a few times.

[@gailthornbury291]

I’ve even used just leafmould with some organic fertilizer to grow container potatoes very successfully. It’s pretty easy to make here in Ireland if the leaves are shredded as it doesn’t dry out and rarely freezes. I especially like that it’s free. Works for me!

[@kgonzales321]

Those leaf blower/vacuum things are the way to go. I got one at a garage sale for $10 bucks. If I grind them 2x, kinda look like corn flakes. When I was a kid, I was told to pour a container (gallon) of muddy water into a black trash bag filled with leaf fragments, keeping any snow off and waiting until early/late summer. Use mixture with garden or potted plants. I'm not sure if the muddy water would have any beneficial fungi etc that the leaves wouldn't already have.. it's easy and hasn't failed yet..

[@lukealexander4512]

Great video! Might bring a garbage bag to collect some after lecture. There is a lot of leaves by a parking lot wall that is a foot thick.

[@rosered6876]

I have nice dense woods on my property, so I've been getting soil from there, under that thick carpet of leaves. My plants are doing great so far, and it's free. I just started homesteading this year, so I don't have a compost. My first garden is a bust, 😂 but I've learned so much. I'm in zone 8 so I still have time to do a fall harvest. I'm taking all these tips and applying them to my new attempt. I did invest in a green house, and so far, my peppers and tomatoes are growing well. That's the soil I got out of the woods. Thank you guys so much for these videos and comments. They really help us newbies a lot. Gardeners are such a great community.

[@boonstein9949]

my aunt used to collect leaves for her garden. the newspaper once published a picture of her with a wheelbarrow piled with bags of leaves from her neighbors. that was back in the '70's.

[@EastxWestFarms]

We’ve been doing this for many years. It is so much easier than hot compost. And now we know it’s mold not compost, too. Thank you Gardener Scott!

[@poornimashandilya281]

I am a beginner and have lately started improving my backyard that was lying barren till now. Your small tips are very useful for viewers like me . I do find great teaching attributes in you, used to the utmost potential. Thank you for making such helpful videos.

[@t7957r]

I used the bag method over the winter in the spring the leafs were not dirt but broken down. I used them as mulch and found they were transformative. The soil remained moist all spring and summer in Atlanta. when you moved the mulch the soil was alive full of baby worms and dark and just fantastic. I am doing it again this year and collecting more leaves. The mulch lasted until mid to end of August much longer then we first thought it would. Saved $300 in mulch costs doing this and ended up with healthier soil and plants. This year I am using a Worx leaf shredder to break up the leaves really gets them small and also creates leaf dust.

[@allenlebo]

t7957r I have the same shredder. Had it sitting unopened in my garage for at least 10 years. Silly me!! I made a nice amount of leaf mulch a few weeks ago and hope to make even more. It even worked on damp leaves when they were mixed with dry ones.

[@cowboyblacksmith]

Putting leafs in a 35 gallon plastic garbage can and using a weed whacker works wonders too. It turns them to nearly powder and works surprisingly well. I put my weed whacker in an empty garbage can, fill about 1/3 and go to town, it doesn't take long either. Not my idea but a KZbin tip and nothing to buy.

[@kevinperry4551]

To chop my leaves I use my weed whacker and a $20 red garbage can I got at Ace Hardware. Works really well for me. I toss an old towel over the top of the can to contain the leaves as they chop.

[@myjunkmail007]

Just wanted to share my experience with the group. I did an experiment this past summer. Had a wire bin (2' diameter x 3' tall). In early May, filled it to the top with chopped leaves that were still in my garden from the previous fall. By early October, it was COMPLETELY decomposed! The only thing I did was soak it every week or so for about the first month, that's it. Of course, your mileage may vary. And I totally agree with putting compost bins in the garden if you have the space. Keeps all the nutrition right there where you want it.

[@GardenerScott]

That's great! Thanks for sharing.

[@villagesteader3552]

My chickens are at work on my leaves right now!👍♥️🤓🐔

[@shlomovenezia101]

Best leaf moulder award 🏅🙏

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

Just filled two buckets of amazing garden dirt from a good section of leaf gutter, apparently when the cat climbs to the roof and meows while standing by the gutter, she was saying "come up here and get all this dirt for the garden". There should be another 6 or so buckets in the rest of the gutters, which is good as we just ran out of nice amended garden dirt for the window garden~

[@davidisaacson9328]

Just wanted to remind everyone, that if the leaves are not broken down completely, and you use this as a mulch...it will initially rob your topsoil of nitrogen. It can become even more detrimental for fruits/vegetables if you're turning them into the soil. Great tutorial!

[@mountainsandmayhem739]

Not unless you work it into the soil. It might take a little from the first quarter inch but not any deeper where the roots of the plants are.

[@davidisaacson9328]

@@mountainsandmayhem739 Hence why I said, "use this as a mulch".

[@mountainsandmayhem739]

@@davidisaacson9328 used as a mulch it WON’T rob the plants. If using a mulch, it’s not a problem

[@davidisaacson9328]

@@mountainsandmayhem739 Whole leaves used as mulch(if it were to stay on top of the soil), not so much. Different story when using mulched/shredded leaves(easier to penetrate soil).

[@ZeroCarbDaddy]

Have to love Mother Nature. Wooded leafy areas are always in this state of a healthy ecosystem. While not complete for some plants. Top soils from wooded areas have huge potential for gardening. Thanks for all the information. I always learn from you.

[@debrajones7349]

Thank you for showing the reverse leaf blower method. I wasn’t sure if that made the leaves too small. Glad to know I’m ok with doing this.

[@mchlbk]

Very good video Scott. It's such an important message: Leaves are an important resource for the sustainability and ecology of a garden. I just store them in bags somewhere in the shade for a year or two until they're ready. But the round compost bin with landscape fabric is a bloody brilliant idea for normal compost. I'll try it instead of a new permanent bin made out of wood, thanks for that great idea.

[@freedomflyer6650]

Excellent show. I have 5 piles going at any given time and ever yr I add 1 or 2 piles to my garden. I also have a wood chipper and I chip my brush and black bag that as well. I'm blessed to have so many neighbors who bring me their kitchen waste, leaves and grass clippings

[@kdcm6690]

I made one lot in a black garbage bag, I didn't bother chopping it but I threw in topsoil from a 2L pot which I had planted some annual in that had long disappeared. And water. Amazing stuff after 2 years, really black and loamy. ( I forgot about it, it was in a corner of the garden with some empty pots).

[@christianspain3015]

Wow I love those compost bins made from pallets. I will definitely be borrowing that idea!

[@justsayin5609]

Scott- I love your calming voice and concise presentation. Have a great day!

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

I went leafing today and hit the leaf lottery! Some gardeners helped me bag up and fill my truck. Im in heaven!! I can’t wait to try two of the methods, the pen and the bags. I’m wondering about putting a layer of leaves down in a tree/perennial area and covering with wood chips. Do you think that’s a sound idea for building soil?

[@GardenerScott]

I think it's a great idea and I'm doing that in a few areas of my garden.

[@firefalcon100]

ahh.. Gardner scott.. a funguy i like having around.. :P just put a whole lot of leaves shredding via lawnmower on the garden today to use as mulch.

[@momofkings1]

We have a ton of leaves at our new house. Hubs mulched them up and we put them in a pile surrounded by wire fencing. I'll see about getting some landscape fabric

[@richardmassoth8237]

I still have two types of leaf shredder, one looks like a shop vacuum with a spinning nylon string to shred leaves (you might find these at garage sales). That type is an electric motor in a plastic drum that sits over a 40-60 gallon trash can. The other looks like a gasoline-powered lawn mower and sucks leaves and twigs up from the yard, shreds them and bags them. I just make a decomposition mound or cover my garden in the fall (to rototill or spade into the existing soil). I've also used the plastic bag method (but my neighbors thought I was nuts until I showed them the "black gold" results after just over a year). This is a fantastic video!

[@k-sell4065]

I pile them up around all my trees and when I cut the green grass I pile it on top,then another layer of dried leaves and top it off with a two inch layer of soil. I let it sit for at least a month before turning it over and repeating the process. I do this throughout the winter as well and right before spring here in zone 7a Newport News Virginia. I till to mix it all evenly to emend my soil from the previous grow season. From there I fill all my raised bed boxes and five gallon buckets and pots.

[@stephenluna7932]

First time I ever heard of leaf mold was from you in one of your past videos. Great content.

[@professorsdesk9944]

SCOTT, THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR FARMING TECHNIQUES. I LEARNED MANY THINGS FROM YOU... PROF DEN, PHILIPPINES

[@Nmo6835]

Hey Gardner Scott- Wow! You’re full of great knowledge! Here in central fla. & trees? None. They’re considered projectile’s in storm season. I’ve gotta go find a local park for leaves but- I will! Thank you!

[@przybyla420]

If you have a Lot of leaves every year (or glean a lot), make leaf mold and then the next summer after it is decently molded, make compost. Or make leaf mold and then throw waste twigs and partially rotted branches in it and make even better fungal compost for woody perennials. Or let it go to leaf mold and then start feeding veggie scraps or manure to the inside of the pile, digging holes in it, adding scraps/manure, covering back up...to make a giant compost worm heap. Tarping all these helps moderate moisture and temperature swings.

[@felixyusupov7299]

I use my DR Power chipper to grind the leaves to very small 1/8" pieces. The leaves turn into leaf mold very fast when you have small pieces of leaf material plus the wind doesn't blow them away.

[@gregorybaur3097]

Geobin makes excellent enclosures.

[@derekcox6531]

I love my geobin. Great for compost and great for leafmould.

[@k-sell4065]

I use my lawn mower with the bagger so it's easier to collect

[@LowcountryGardener]

I have tons of leaves in my yard in the winter and I pulverize them with the lawn mower. It's amazing how a huge pile of leaves can be turned into a tiny pile. I've only ever used them in my compost, never tried making leaf mold. Good Stuff!

[@royhoco5748]

I bag my leaves in fall and wet them, then seal the bags and leave them in the sun for the winter, in late winter I run the somewhat decomposed leaves through my cement mixer with some scrap iron pieces and pulverize the leaves into small pieces then add that to my gardens and flower beds. This adds nutrients and holds moisture and feeds the bacteria in the soil and draws earthworms. . This simplifies making leaf mold no bins needed and no chopping or turning of the leaves.

[@anidnmeno]

oh man, i forgot my lawn mower has a bag attachment.. i've never used it. I'm using that joker this year!

[@allanplant8756]

Excellent, Thanks so much. I rake acres of leaves every year (by hand) and I either just stack them up and 'leave' them (sorry), or turn them into bio-char. I hadn't realised about the fungi importance. My ground is full of the stuff. Also, I'm going to employ my lawn mower and make enclosures. You have made my day!

[@bupkus123]

Years ago I had bagged leaves from my next door neighbor. He has a service that cares for his yard and in late fall they run a rider lawn mower over and over the brown leaves. When the ground leaf pieces are small enough they run the mower over again but this time to suck up the tiny pieces for disposal. I asked and they dumped the leaf pieces in my yard. I bagged them in black garbage bags and forgot about them for a couple years. When I went to inspect them I found holes formed in the bags allowing water and worms into and out of the bags. The stuff inside was really amazing but the smell seemed a little off. I dumped them into a raised garden and the smell quickly improved. Now that I’ve seen this video I remembered and I now will fill some bags for 2022. BTW, I recently acquired some bags of used coffee grounds and think I’ll put some of that in with the leaves. I’m wondering if leaf mold or aerobic bacteria will form. Thanks gardener Scott for this and other videos.

[@j.b.6855]

I read about the benefits of leaf mold and I have already started 2 bins about 5 feet in diameter. One is about 4 foot tall the other is 5 but isnt full yet. Its been real windy and I didnt want them blowing out. I used some hardware cloth panels I got from the trash and some chicken wire a neighbor gave me. I have the room under a tree and all the time I need. As I understand it, leaf mold is a good substitute for peat moss, but unlike peat it has some nutrients. Since I do mainly container gardening a free peat replacement is a fantastic thing.

[@gailthornbury291]

I use leaf mould in container composts rather than peat and to refresh old compost for reuse. It’s wonderful stuff. Much much better than peat and best of all free! Good luck using yours.

[@j.b.6855]

@@gailthornbury291 Thanks for the post, it reinforces what I read on a couple of other sites. Leaves are very plentiful in my maple tree lined town. Even after filling the leaf mold bins I have about 20 bags of them for compost and mulch next season. If any are left they will go into next years leaf mold bin. I am a very budget gardener and free is always my favorite price. Peat is about $13 a bag, money I can use to buy things I cant make.

[@thebitcoingarden]

Great idea with the fabric around the cage I'm bout to do this thanks!

[@draco4540]

you've got a soothing voice.

[@rufia75]

I will suggest that even in VERY cold winters, decomposition does not stop entirely. It's massively slowed down but it doesn't stop. Especially bigger piles of organic matter that are connected to the earth.

[@cz335]

I will try this year. I am living in Canada. I have 7 big maple trees around my house.😣

[@SColan910]

Scott, thank you for showing me this video!

[@Gkrissy]

Very helpful video. Great tip about placement under a tree. I am in the process of doing the same with a contractor bags and using my lawn mower to make the leaves smaller. I punched holes in my bag as well

[@isabelladavis1363]

Im a gardener and keep fit by raking a few of my clients gardens with leaves then bringing it to my property for the final decomposition...free is good and the garden LOVES THEM... Thanks for sharing !

[@audreyhight]

I have a large rectangular area (defined by logs and straw bales), approximately 6 or 7 feet by 12 ft. It’s located in a shade area of my yard, at the base of several trees, mostly incense cedar. I started this compost bed as a slow bed, using the “lasagne”method…alternating layers of cardboard, crushed or shredded oak leaves from my own property, and grass clippings from a neighbor. The slow method works well since my raised bed garden is very small. This year I added a 3-5 inch layer of aged horse manure. I bury my own kitchen compost scraps in this bed, rotating around to different areas. Sometimes I add garden clippings, but I’m careful not to compost plant material with blight or powdery mildew. I also toss in the loose straw as it ages and decomposes, or after I’ve used it for mulch. Keeping the compost bed damp in summer is my biggest struggle, especially in our drought-prone area, but I have used cardboard to keep it covered. I water it after sundown when it needs it. Sounds like I’m already making compost with leaf mold…without having instruction! I’m happy to have watched this video that confirms the logic of what I’m doing. One question…is it a problem that some incense cedar pieces-needles or seed pods-get mixed in with the grass clippings I use? I have read that cedar can retard growth of garden plants. Is it okay mixed with other organic material, and composted? My material is primarily oak leaves, which break down very slowly. I’m hoping an annual addition of horse manure will help speed and further enrich the compost. I seem to be getting a rich, dark compost mixture which holds moisture.

[@GardenerScott]

It isn't really a big problem that cedar is mixed in, but those pieces will take a long time to break down and can temporarily deplete some nitrogen in the mix. If you can, you might want to keep it separate and use as mulch.

[@galacticshield]

Thank you, Gardener Scott. This explains exactly what I wanted to know. I have usually thrown out my piles of excess leaves...but I won't this year. Method #1 looks best for my situation. Again. valuable information.

[@leynaabbey]

Making black gold is like making fine wine. You gotta stomp on it, also leaf mold punching bad is great anger management.

[@allangoodger969]

Very useful ideas. I will have to keep in mind for the end of summer hopefully we will have something to turn into leaf mould next year here in Australia. Just one thing though a METER is a measurement device and a METRE is a unit of measurement. Keep up the great videos mate.

[@hollysharvest]

In the U.S., we spell the unit of measurement "meter." It's the whole British vs. American spelling issue (kind of like color vs. colour). Cheers! :-)

[@msmadeinhawaii]

I use a weed eater in a plastic mineral tub. Works much better than the lawn mower.

[@k-sell4065]

I try to keep it simple as possible while being in tune with nature that way all plants should be handled. Great video Scott!

[@melvyntoppo678]

I enjoyed this video. Made my small pile of leaf mould in plastic bag. 12 months later I was thrilled to get Black Gold.

[@melvyntoppo678]

This year waiting for winter to arrive and get a bigger pile of leaves. It required a lot of patience getting the result with water only

[@krisyallowega5487]

thanks Scott, hope all is well with you. Leaf mould is a wonderful thing. It takes a long time to make it here in Canada if using the bag method. I find that using a compost bin works the best for me, and giving the leaves a good soak. Bulk is required here when trying to make leaf mould. The freeze/thaw cycle helps move things along, so the leaves must be quite damp or as they say "like a wrung out sponge.' I have heard gardeners using straight leaf mould as a potting medium or a seed starter medium. I am hoping to research that a little more. take care Scott.

[@GardenerScott]

Thanks, Kris.

[@barbarawall6349]

Thank you for this explanation best video I’ve seen on this!

[@clarkl4177]

So much great Info ☺️

[@moondink]

Thanks for your video, regards from Jakarta Indonesia

[@GreenLove1]

Nice methods, Gardener Scott. I collect my fall leaves religiously with the good intentions of starting a leaf mold pile, but eventually use it all up as mulch - shredded leaves are the best mulch! Guess I am just going to have to let my woodchips bring in the fungi!!!

[@sandy-rr1by]

interesting how only leaves break down alone, but the other stuff has to be a mixture. i am currently spreading the leaves we started last year. not totally broken down yet, but i don't want new ones put in on top of these. it looks great so i am mixing it in to raised beds, half drums and bins. hope it will continue to break down mixed in with the other soils.

[@gedhuffadine1873]

Andy this is what I do I spread this years leaf mold next early summer, I do chop it with the garden tractor, go over it a few times then store in builder dump bags, works just fine

[@rickraub5448]

Can you do a video on the pallet compost bin?

[@GardenerScott]

I have a video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqm3XqWNgsafp68

[@vsureshkumar]

As always,Thanks for helpful tips Scott. Love the 3rd option, I’ve got a very small backyard so hoping that would work best, going to get bagged leafs from neighbors that throw out ::-)

[@johnsheppard8102]

always good content thanks, i have tried chopping leaves and spread on my beds , it works well

[@bs4638]

Does it help to add a few handfuls of compost to act as an inoculant of bacteria and fungi, after each layer of leaves?

[@GardenerScott]

A previous batch of leaf mold would be a better inoculant, but it really isn't necessary.

[@TheDungeon-Master]

I subbed to your channel a couple weeks ago and I am SOO HAPPY I found your channel and that you make such wonderful content. From my family to yours God Bless and best wishes to you all in these trying times.

[@GardenerScott]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel!

[@angelaanderson5360]

Such good information from this post. Unfortunately one of my sites became anaerobic because the holes were plugged. The smell was AWFUL! My question now, is that anaerobic bag unusable? Or how can I rectify the situation. I know now that the leaves must NOT be left sitting in water. Thank you .

[@GardenerScott]

It is definitely usable. Take the leaves out of the bag to dry and use them as mulch or start again to decompose completely.

[@angelaanderson5360]

Thank you gardener Scott

[@russellsmith3825]

Do a quick search here for the Johnson-Su compost bioreactor, and the science behind it, it is mind blowing what you can do with an aerobic statics compost pile

[@michaelboom7704]

Yup ,in this area the leaves are mostly cleaned up in the neighbourhood but weeks ago I went with my little utility trailer gathering leaves for the use in composting and mulching during the next number of months. I love stacking bags of those leaves on a small area of the garden which I will start gardening with cold hardy plant early next spring.

[@francesbatycki404]

Fantastically clear information. Thanks.🇨🇦👍

[@frankbarnwell____]

i under utilized a very large oak trees' leaf "waste", many years ago. I did use it's leaves as a filler in 4 large planters for tomatoes, and they produced! but I didn't continue the formula. the leaf pile under a big ole tree is very fertile.

[@drewjaqua2905]

Very cool video, Gardener Scott. I appreciate your explanations for each of the three methods. "I'm using a Philips-head screwdriver" cracked me up. Thanks for making this video!

[@janwilliams3545]

Should the bag be left out where it will get rain or snow??

[@GardenerScott]

It can, but some bags may break down quickly when exposed to the sun and weather.

[@misslee8388]

I am excited to receive and wear my new shirt I just ordered from your line of merchandise. I love your videos.

[@k-sell4065]

To prevent them from blowing away. I put a layer of soil as weight to prevent them from blowing away

[@jamestyrer6067]

THANKS FOR THIS INFORMATION. IM GOING TO ADD CHEMICALLY FREE GRASS CLIPPINGS TO MY LEAF MULCH

[@IseetheGloryofKingdom]

I have a question please if you will permit and indulge me- do pine needles help or hamper using leaf mold for organic compost?? Thank you in advance 🙏.

[@GardenerScott]

The pine needles can add minerals and nutrients to the final product but they take longer to decompose than most leaves and will slow the process.

[@IseetheGloryofKingdom]

@ Thank you 🙏

[@chantalepick3691]

I live in the judean hills and have collected leaves as you demonstrated in large black bags. My question is do the leaves decompose faster in heat? We have mild winters and hot summers.

[@GardenerScott]

Heat will help it decompose faster.

[@rhondaburley6614]

I add seaweed and comfrey leaves to mine, here in Atlantic Canada. Does this dilute the nutrient content? My grandmother swore by seaweed and comfrey.

[@ThahnG413]

well likely not because leaves aren't actually that high in nutrients besides minerals, leaves don't have much npk while kelp and comfrey leaves would add to the npk more than the leaves so it works either way leaves create good soil structure which is why I use them.

[@GardenerScott]

They will add to the nutrient content. Both are great sources for nutrients that plants need.

[@garyradford9381]

Thank you much

[@filougreendog]

four pallets tied together, line with cardboard. fill with leaves over winter. plant a squash on top for summer, and dig out the lovely leafmould next autumn, repeat

[@CAMDEC1217]

Thanks so much. Question- I have a barrel full of mature leaf mold and not sure how to best use it. Is it just a mulch or can I use it in soil making replacing peat moss, or replacing the compost? And would it be the same ration? Can I use it in place of the 3-4 inches of compost I add to my raised beds each fall. Thanks so much!!

[@GardenerScott]

When the leaf mold is fully decomposed it can be used as a soil amendment and not just mulch. It can be a replacement for peat moss but is better used as a supplement to compost. Compost and leaf mold will have different nutrients to offer plants.

[@CAMDEC1217]

@@GardenerScott thank you so much. Maybe I will use half leaf and half compost to add to making my homemade potting mix

[@garyradford9381]

Hello Gardner Scott, I have 6 citrus trees , I have a friend give a load EUK leaves and little pieces chopped from branches is it ok to layer around my trees to keep the dirt from drying out , gets reality hot here 115-120 in summer

[@GardenerScott]

They should work fine as a mulch.

[@MrBadger236]

How do you know when it is ready and exactly how do you use it?

[@GardenerScott]

It can be used as mulch any time, but when it turns fluffy and dark brown it is ready for amending soil.

[@MrBadger236]

@@GardenerScott Great .. Thank you

[@highlandscommunityclub1160]

I Have my leaves in the bag!! But my grand plan to mulch with leaves and cover with wood chips is not to be. I Can’t get any!! So I’m wondering if I could cover the mulch layer of leaves using redwood needles instead; to help build my soil. I have PLENTY of redwood needles. Can’t wait to share how my leaf mold comes out!

[@GardenerScott]

I use pine needles in many areas where I also use wood chips.

[@peggyalbright3745]

Good ideas!

[@JaneDoe-ft8sz]

Would the trash bag do better in the sun or in the shade?

[@GardenerScott]

The sun is better during the winter and shade is better in summer.

[@JaneDoe-ft8sz]

@@GardenerScott thank you!!

[@dalesteiner150]

Hey Scott...does it matter or hurt/help if there are fine green grass clippings mixed in with mulched leaves ? I have a large collection system on my zero turn mower that chops the leaves up fine with the deck raised up high but also mixes high grass at the same time.... Thanx for the great videos!!!!!!!!!

[@GardenerScott]

I think it helps. it helps add some nitrogen to the mix.

[@dalesteiner150]

@@GardenerScott awesome thank you....

[@107judy]

Do you put holes on the bottom of the bag in addition to the sides?

[@GardenerScott]

Yes, there are hole all around.

[@pokemonone5630]

Great idea 👍

[@pamdavis9077]

Excellent! Thank u!

[@mikenewsome7061]

Scott can you use pecan leaves

[@GardenerScott]

Sure.

[@damiengrant967]

Could you use a wool fadge instead of a plastic bag for method number 3?

[@GardenerScott]

I'm sure you could. The wool may also begin decomposing in the process.

[@thomaslist252]

Could you use a plastic 60 gallon garbage can instead of the trash bags?

[@GardenerScott]

Sure. That would be more durable.

[@sandy-rr1by]

a friend goes to all tbe trouble of mowing up and bagging the leaves, then brings them to me. all i do is show her where to put them!!!