How to Source, Use, and Store Fall Leaves for Garden Mulch

Each fall, Mother Nature gives gardeners the perfect gift - fall leaves. Leaves make the perfect natural mulch for the garden. In this video, Joe shows where he sources his leaves each fall, how he stores them until they're broken down, and how to put them to use in the garden.
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[@frankkramer169]

I heavily mulch my garden beds with shredded leaves in fall to cover and protect the bare soil. This attracts earthworms and feeds the soil during winter months.

[@mypointofblue5260]

Perfect timing for me to see this as I have a load of leaves to get up that I left down last fall. This as I’m also starting my very first garden this week as well! :)

[@juneshannon8074]

Best video I’ve seen on preparing leaf much. Many thanks Joe.

[@michaelfoster8530]

That composted leaf mulch would be great to use as a bedding for a large worm farming system.

[@bobt471]

Love your Short and Informative videos ! Thank you 😊

[@moriahhilburn2577]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@charliezicolillo]

Joe Ryobi makes a leaf mulch 40volt.I have it.It is GREAT.

[@SativaVerte]

Nice channel! Just subscribed

[@onemoredoll5791]

Lol. I have zero trees in my yard. I did get leaves from 2 neighbors (2 trees) and ut was enough.

[@lizaug2009]

Have you ever heard of Johnson-Su bioreactors? Easy way to make the perfect compost.

[@mikegriffin3437]

Planning on expanding my raised bed garden for next spring. What are your thoughts on placing shredded leaves in the bottom of the bed to act as fill to cut down on needing so much soil. What would be the minimum amount of soil i should cover the leaves?

[@SativaVerte]

Can u mix manure with it? We have a barn that sales bags near by non aged-what if you shred leaves and add manure? Will they both be ready by spring?

[@annmccormick2983]

Should you keep them dry? Do you need to turn them occasionally?

[@p.h.c.1113]

I will try the shredding with weed whacker inside a bin. My husband bought that tool and hardly ever uses it.

[@ClintonMeyerushkev]

Location: What state and growing zone are you in? Thank you.

[@joegardenerTV]

I am on the northern side of Atlanta, GA, now zone 8a as of the recent update to the USDA hardiness zone.

[@ClintonMeyerushkev]

@@joegardenerTV Thank you. I am in 4B - definitely a difference, but still, an applicable video. :)

[@HipOperation99]

Do you turn the leaves into the soil in a vegetable garden or just throw them on top?

[@kevindice1092]

On top is best. Retains soil moisture, combats weed germination, and as they break down on top they won’t tie up soil nitrogen like they would if they were decomposing in the soil itself.

[@sbffsbrarbrr]

On top.....you basically want to follow the no dig method with your garden soil. Keep adding compost/nutrients to the top of your beds without disturbing the soil structure underneath.

[@nancyharold5521]

Can oak leaves be used?

[@haroldgolden5437]

Of course. Ma nature has been putting oak leaves on the ground for a long time now, and they seem to decompose just like any other kind of leaves.

[@mikegriffin3437]

I have heard that oak leaves are more acidic, you may have to add lime to correct the ph.

[@littlecougarkitty3063]

There is absolutely NO need to shred them and just add them on your garden beds to insulate during the winter and break down right on the spot. No need to handle them 3 times.

[@p.h.c.1113]

I was just going to ask that, can't I just put them around plants now?

[@naomitrevelyan945]

@@p.h.c.1113 you can just break down slower, the faster they break down the quicker your plants get the benefits. I have found they are more prone to blow away as well.

[@p.h.c.1113]

@@naomitrevelyan945 That makes sense.

[@haroldgolden5437]

I disagree. Shredded leaves seem to interlock and resist blowing away during winter better than whole leaves. Also, large whole leaves, like those from cottonwood trees, can sometimes mat down and smother the soil, where as shredded leaves will stay loose and allow water and air to reach the soil surface. So there, that's at least two reasons to shred.

[@skenaWalker]

I have lots of oak trees, they have to be shredded!

[@PurringMyrrh]

Rake up all the leaves just to put them back on the ground, make them smaller, and rake them up again. 😄🤔

[@nicoleboudreaux336]

I don't feel it's truly organic gardening if you use devices with possible chemical residue - like mowers with gasoline and oil - to collect/transport planting medium of any kind. Possible contamination with who knows what, especially if you use a lawn service to mow. Same reasoning why I won't get leaves from neighbors or other yards - so many people treat their ground with chemicals. I don't want that stuff in my gardens.