Massive Soil Improvement Using Leaf Mulch

!!!2021 UPDATE HERE!!! • Autumn Leaf Mulch 2021...
Leaf Mulch is one of the best amendments you can do to your soil. No matter whether vegetable garden or flower garden, you need to layer it with leaves!
In this video I cover the basics of leaf mulch, some do's and don'ts, and lay out all the benefits. Then, I will show you in detail exactly what I did to my vegetable garden in the Fall of 2019, and how much it has improved the soil one year later.
This was the absolute best improvement I've ever done to my garden soil. It was easy, and free. My vegetable plants appeared to utilize the broken down leaves from the day they were planted. Although it did take approximately 1 year for all leaves to break down.
2021 Update - • Autumn Leaf Mulch 2021...
2022 Update - • Autumn Leaf Mulch 2022...
Some good references for this video:
Total guide to fall clean up - growitbuildit.com/winter-gard...
101 Items you can compost:
growitbuildit.com/list-of-mat...
How hot does compost need to get to kill weed seeds -
growitbuildit.com/hot-compost...
My DIY Tomato Cages - low cost, strong, sturdy, and they store better than conventional cages
growitbuildit.com/diy-tomato-...
See our collection of videos on how to improve your garden -
• How to Determine Soil ...
The reasons to use leaf mulch, with references:
growitbuildit.com/reasons-to-...
How to make a compost pile:
growitbuildit.com/how-to-make...
Soil drainage test
growitbuildit.com/garden-soil...
Mason jar test
growitbuildit.com/mason-jar-s...
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[@davidthegood]

Very good video - you covered this excellently and the results are inarguable. Thank you - I will re-share this one.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you so much David! I really appreciate it. I've watched your videos plenty of times, so that means a lot coming from you. Thank you!

[@cody481]

Have you found an uper limit?

[@growitbuildit]

@cody481 I have not found a limit. Each year I get big improvements. I published an update recently

[@GardenDocSC]

Great video. When I was a youngster in Maryland, we had a tomato patch, maybe 4 feet by 50 feet, along the backside of the house. This was back in the 70's-80's. Heavy heavy red clay soil on our 4 acres. Every fall my father would make me rake leaves, for hours and hours on end. We'd do it on Sunday, after church. We'd pile those leaves onto the tomato patch and water them. Then we'd turn them into the soil, yes using a shovel. We'd pile them a foot thick. My father would have me double dig, if you know what that is. Then in early May, we'd go out and turn the top layer, single dig. The soil got darker and darker every year (over the course of 15 years of my child labor lol). We grew the very best tomatoes. Always Burpees Big Boy. Never added any other amendments. No fertilizer, no lime, no calcium. It's not until you're older, that you realize how smart your parents were. What I wouldn't give for those delicious Maryland tomatoes now.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you for sharing Doc! It is amazing - how much out parents/grandparents, etc knew. If you watch 'gardening trends' today you would wonder just how all those people back in the day managed to have gardens without special amendments, soil starter...etc. One set of my grandparents didn't go to school past 8th grade, but they were successful farmers / gardeners!

[@d.leighannbatemon3192]

What is double dig and single dig? Our soil is pretty clay-like, but I want a vegetable garden so bad!! I'm excited to give this a shot!

[@Tallahass33]

Usually people that go to church don’t work on Sunday

[@Tallahass33]

Ur supposed to rest

[@GardenDocSC]

@@d.leighannbatemon3192 Double dig is when you go in rows, turning a first dig to the side, then going down a second time, turning that to the side also. Basically it means digging twice as deep and bringing the deepest soil to the top.

[@derekcox6531]

I take my battery powered leaf blower around to green spaces in my city during the fall months and just scoop all the leaves I can. (Much to the horror of my teenager) but it’s a free resource and I’m more than happy to tell anyone who inquires about my activity,that I’m gathering leaves for my garden.

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome Derek. I've been so tempted to rob a powerline cut of all the leaves people dump there. I'm just worried about some of the other stuff that people dump there - might have some nasty chemicals or invasive seeds hiding in those leaves.

[@gioknows]

I took my truck and filled it with leaf bags people were throwing away last year and dumped them in a pile in my backyard and they have produced a ton of free compost for me. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada 🍁

[@growitbuildit]

Nice haul! I love putting leaves to good use rather than a landfill.

[@thrive-like-a-viking]

this is one of the best videos I've seen on the subject.... the large span of time covered and the direct comparisons really give a clear cut illustration of this process .... thank you for your time...

[@growitbuildit]

You're very welcome Nate. And thank you very much for the compliment! It is much appreciated.

[@bryantherocker]

@@growitbuildit Hi, nice video ..can i just get fresh shredded leaves and put them in a plastic bucket with a drain hole, leave it outside... and after a few months, I put in on top of the soil of my ornamental plants as natural fertilizer ?

[@gelwood99]

@@bryantherocker Shred the leaves and apply them like any mulch. I have done this for years and have the blackest soil in my ornamental beds. Don't waste the time with heavy buckets, the worms will be happy to do it for you with no extra work involved. Our city has a leaf drop off and they have been closed for 2 years, I just got 4 bucket loads of black gold, almost totally composted leaf mulch for my new garden I am making in the front yard and it is fabulous stuff. They already did the work for me. Maybe your town has one also and a bargain at $5 a scope.

[@GaiaCarney]

Nate Muri - I agree! The results are clear and you can’t beat free! 🍂🍂🍂

[@chrisschwartz4037]

My family has always, my grandfather taught my Dad and he taught me, to put grass clippings under our trees. This was done in a circular manner to about 4-5 ft. out from tree trunk. This was done all summer long. About September the grass clippings were raked up into a circular mound surrounding the trees. When the leaves fell the yard was mowed and everything bagged was placed into the center of the grass dam. Having been mowed the leaves were so heavy the wind did not blow them out of the circle. Every year we have had new black soil under our trees, and they love it. Snow Ball tree goes crazy every year. In the spring, snows have pounded grass clippings and leaves down to nothings and time to start over. The circle of grass clippings prevents weeds from growing under the trees and also you don't mow so close to trunk of tree to damage the tree bark.

[@growitbuildit]

Sounds like a perfect system Chris

[@Doc1855]

We use Alph Alpha as mulch in and around our garden, small orchard and compost pile.

[@Runner466]

Great idea! Thank you. I have fruit trees, 2 peaches, 3 apples. I will have to try this next year. I love my fruit and this should keep the trees healthy.

[@christinaoliveryoung6019]

@@Doc1855 😹 I had to read that twice and then say It out loud to realize it was alfalfa lol love it!

[@CatsMeow14]

This is a great video about how to use leaf mulch. One thing a lot of people don't think about is that many beneficial insects lay eggs / overwinter in the leaf layer, so shredding them can hurt your local ecosystem in the springtime. We always rake the leaves into our garden areas, but I only shred a small portion of them.

[@Nick-me7ot]

So important for people to know about organic matter & its relationship with water retention. Always happy to see people sharing this knowledge.

[@growitbuildit]

100% agree - it's almost like adding organic matter can do no wrong for soil.

[@pthomps1111]

Yes! Thanks for this content! I did this very thing with some extras this fall as a grand experiment to improve my crappy garden soil. I did it for several reasons: 1) free, 2) deep mulch system has been a great garden method, 3) composting in place, 4) to improve my soil with organic matter, improve tilth, 5) to bring more worms and 6) to suppress weeds over the winter. Because I have really poor soil, I chose to lasagna layer the good stuff. I had cardboard already down, added a layer of straw/hay over the summer, a layer of rotten horse manure, a layer of chicken manure mixed with hay and finally, a layer of leaves. All combined, it's about 6 inches deep and though it's only been a couple months, I can already see tons of worms at work. Very encouraging! I collected everything for free, so with any luck, 2021 will be an exceptional garden year!

[@growitbuildit]

Outstanding Amber. I had the biggest improvement from doing just the leaves. It sounds like you're going to have a ton of veggies next year with what you've done.

[@helenejohansen3866]

Hello there :) Im curious to know if the horsemaneure made you any troublles with increased weeds? I was planning to do a similar thing, but im not sure i dare. Best wishes and thank you very much ;)

[@josephcernansky1794]

@@helenejohansen3866 I've used horse manure and they don't eat weeds!!! very little weed issues. I "steal" all my neighbors leaves and shred them into litter. Add manure, dirt, nitrogen fertilizer, wet the dry stuff real good, and turn the pile every couple months. I either use the product next year as mulch or till it into the soil in fall before it's time to collect leaves again. The garden gets all sorts of stuff into it.....What was originally yellow-brown silty clayey shale is now rich black loam. Mother Nature takes time ...if you don't have the time and plenty of money...hire a nursery to dig up all the crappy dirt and backfill with sifted organic loam soil........so who here on KZbin watching, reading and typing has that kind of money? Elon, is that you? Wanna hire me as your personal gardener? LOL

[@CoreyDodge]

Thank you so much for this, and thank you for documenting literally 2 years of doing so. This answers so many questions for me.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Corey - I'm glad you found this info helpful. It is the best thing I've ever done for my garden. I still haven't had to weed my garden this year except for maybe a couple random plants.

[@richardsabo6213]

I have the same feelings when Autumn begins. I eagerly await “Leaf Harvesting” season.

[@growitbuildit]

Exactly!

[@mariapaglialungo293]

I had begun doing this and now I will continue thank u

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent Maria. It has given me great results. Good luck!

[@FleetwoodPatch]

This is a great video! I piled a huge layer of leaves in my raised beds in October. Very excited to see the results this summer.

[@growitbuildit]

I bet you are going to get great results - good luck!

[@rosewood513]

I have been using leaf mulch since my first real veg garden back in 1979, I still is the best fertilizer money doesn't buy. :) Thank you. I just finally got up the verve to ask my new neighbor if I could scoop up their leaves in their back yard. Tomorrow is the day..

[@growitbuildit]

Couldn't agree more. And thank you for sharing your experience!

[@lorrainemosby1645]

Smiles, smiles,smiles

[@shammydammy2610]

This definitely works. Used to do it at my old place and all of my neighbors knew I would take their leaves off of their hands.

[@jbg944]

I started this up last year in my shade garden. It really helped with the weeds.

[@growitbuildit]

Yeah - I figured it would be an improvement. But it really was a huge reduction in weeds.

[@patricianealfarley7150]

Thank you so much for the comprehensive examples you shared. Much appreciated. It’s Nov 21, the maple leaves have recently fallen & im making a new deep bed. Love the before & after results. Very helpful.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent Patricia - thank you for the kind words. I'm happy to help you out, and good luck!

[@mark109s]

Great video, I do this every year here where I live in the suburbs. Been doing this for five years now and my garden keeps getting better. This definitely Works!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Mark! Glad you are getting great results too.

[@madammim694]

you see how beautiful the forest floor is, year after year of building up leaves is perfect.

[@growitbuildit]

Exactly!

[@taramellow3016]

Thank you!!! I just bagged my last fall leaves ever!!!! Never again! Please keep the videos coming!!!

[@growitbuildit]

Will Do Tara - my results were awesome. I hope yours are too!

[@198331c]

Perfect! I have been carting my leaves to the curb. I now have a 20 x 20 ft garden and a compost pile. Figured I'd use some leaves this fall for brown layers and now the rest I will mulch up and put in the garden. Great information. Thanks

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome! You will not regret it.

[@terraspath2642]

Started doing this, this fall. My neighbor pitched in his leaves for me too! Looking forward to seeing the difference this spring!

[@growitbuildit]

It may take the full year for the difference to be realized. But hopefully your experience mirrors mine - less weeding, bigger veggie yields, and nicer soil (by the Fall). Good luck!

[@shoyrushoyru]

how did it go?

[@WoodRanger138]

What a Great Service to the new wave of gardeners. You are thorough and patient. Thank You Brother

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! This is the single easiest thing you can do to for your soil that I've found. And it doesn't cost any money.

[@leelindsay5618]

Next up, add fall and winter crops to keep a living root in the soil year round. Move pepper plants into pots for the winter because they are perenial in warmer climates.

[@TheBushdoctor68]

Great video! Glad I'm not the only nutcase collecting leaves when others are busy trying to get rid of them. I use them in my compost bin, uncut, and in that case you really want to mix them well with other material, otherwise they tend to form an oxygen deprived layer. (Turning the bin fixes all of that in one go though). One more tip would be to keep an eye on seeds when collecting leaves. There are some birches next to my garden, and they drop a huge amount of small seeds, therefor I don't collect in that area.

[@growitbuildit]

That's a good point regarding Birch seeds. These are maples, so no issue there as all the seeds drop in Spring.

[@jasonnefzger6838]

I’ve done this for years in my Sandy soil, the results have been incredible. It’s crazy how fast that deep pile of leaves disappear

[@growitbuildit]

It is shocking. And to think how much money is spent purchasing mushroom compost, fertilizer, and all sorts of other amendments to correct infertile soil!

[@lorrainemosby1645]

I have sandy, rocky soil, so I look forward to the incredible vegetables next year. Thank you for your comment!!!

[@savannahsmiles1797]

yeppers it works

[@deborahthompson5041]

I am using my leaves this year for my garden next year and forever. Thank you.

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome!

[@ffs6158]

I can add my anecdotal support 100%! I made 4 new beds last winter. And in one I tried an experiment where I laid a really thick layer of the godawful 50tons of leaves my neighbors trees dump into our yard constantly. I didn't work it in, I didn't mess with it I just threw it on, let it set, and I planted in it (under) roughly in May. One year later, about 75% is completely broken down and the soil looks amazing!! So much better than the plots where I did not do this. I have a problem with grass weeds which take time to eliminate, but other weeds are not an issue.

[@mattknowscomics]

So I just went out into my raised bed to see how badly I ruined it last year. I had tons of little runner roots that were growing up into the bed last year. i thought I was going to have to remove it all and fill it with garden soil. It sits about 30" tall. I filled it with sticks some rotten, some green, leaves and some leftover potting mix to fill the bed last year. So in October I just piled some left over leaves in and figured I would check it in spring.Because it really didn't do a whole lot for me...I thought. But after your video, I moved over the leaves I put in and this smoke started pouring out. It was so warm and dark and full of those white flecks in there. I was thinking of taking this stuff to spread out over my beds this year. Would have never thought of it without your video. TONS of info here - great video!!

[@growitbuildit]

Sounds like you had some hot composting going on in your leaves! It's funny - my leaves have really compressed. But I had some 'bumps' out there that were sticking up by about a foot. I went and knocked them down just after Christmas, and they were hot composting still. I'm glad you found this video helpful Matt - and good luck this year!

[@iannowicki4440]

Great video. I was thinking about doing this last fall and certainly regret not doing it. I’ll certainly do it this fall.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Ian - it's the best thing I've ever done for my garden. You will love the results.

[@WilfredForbert]

Excellent video. Great information, clearly showing the benefits. Nice mix of theory and practical application. I've always had to shake my head at all those bags of leaves out on the curbs. Thanks.

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Wilfred - I appreciate the compliment. I knew I was doing something right by the size of my plants & yield. So I figured why not try to research 'why' the results were so nice.

[@ericaslittlewelshgarden]

Happy new year, hope you have a great 2021 growing season!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! Happy new year to you too Erica!

[@LoanNguyen-sb6pj]

Thank you for sharing this,because my husband never think the leaves it good for the garden but l do

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Loan. My results were excellent.

[@kimjones600]

I've seen a few of your blogs randomly & enjoyed them, and with this one I just want to tell you how much I appreciate the simplicity & clarity of your illustration and the normal plain conversational tone even though you're really doing science. 😉 Refreshing. I'm just a yard gardener like who loves working hard and making things better, as much DIY(M) as possible. I tried leaf mulch last fall on a previously neglected bed - having decided that what I wanted to do is just plant for pollinators, and get some vines and bloomy perennials well started in spring, but not use ferts. For some reason, I was afraid to put too much leaf on, not really realizing that in addition to improving the soil, I could be hot composting & pre-killing weed seeds. The leaf mulch definitely improved the soil quality, along with the spring addition of my own organic compost cooked all winter. The results with the perennials I started were encouraging enough to vouch for this method with all its benefits & I will definitely be adding more this fall. Unfortunately we lost our 3 largest maples recently to storm damage, but there are plenty more around. Thanks for your great content. 👍

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you so much Kim! Leaves are really about as close to a 'magic wand' you can get for improving soil. It is difficult to generate enough compost to cover an entire bed with a thick enough layer to enrich but also suppress weeds. Yet the leaf mulch has no issue. Good luck this Fall finding more leaves.

[@emkn1479]

100% agree. Adding leaves to my ornamental beds changed the soil for the better and keeps down weeds amazingly well.

[@growitbuildit]

I couldn't agree more. It is the best soil improvement I've ever seen.

[@dannyhughes4889]

No nonsense, no Electronic noise [background 'Music'] well explained and informative.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Danny. You are very welcome!

[@jasonsmith8167]

Great video. And thanks for talking about black walnut leaves didn't know that.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! Apparently Walnut trees are particularly harsh on tomato plants. But, like just about everything that is chemically organic, the poison will break down from microorganisms. It just takes a while. But I've known plenty of people who won't even compost the leaves or sawdust.

[@mikeross4]

Good morning from England. This is an excellent video and I wish I had known about the benefits of using leaves in this way plus a whole lot of other things connected with no dig (till) gardening, years ago. I will definitely collecting lots of bags of leaves this autumn and spreading it over my vegetable garden. I look forward to looking at your other videos and how your garden will grow this coming season.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Mike! I had a very strong suspicion that it would have a nice effect on my soil, so I went 'big'. And the results still surprised me - by July I was noticing way fewer weeds ever (except year 1). And our plants were just huge all summer. Just make sure you shred them up - as based on other comments I've heard that slugs can be quite a challenge in the rainier areas. As I think shredded will provide less cover for the slugs.

[@josephcernansky1794]

You can wait for the leaves to turn back into the humus of the forest floor or help the process by shredding them with a lawn mower or try one of those stand up leaf shredding machines specifically dedicated to shredding them. BUT remember....brown is carbon...green is nitrogen...you need both for good composting...or you'll just have a leaf mat for years! I'm too impatient for that...It takes decades for the forest to break down leaves and twigs into that rich black glorious fragrant hummus.

[@preciousmetalhead5155]

I started doing this last fall. Best thing I’ve ever done for my garden beds. When I pulled back the leaves this sprint the soil was jet black and my plants did really well.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - this matches my results.

[@crossingtheline4372]

I just mulched leaves today with the lawnmower. Looks like I'm on the right path. Thanks for the video.

[@growitbuildit]

You are on the right path - good luck! I bet you will have the same success I have had.

[@davidschmidt270]

I've got garden eyes now too... it's kinda funny how you start to change and see things differently...James prigione , think that's how spell it describes it too when he goes out looking for stuff

[@growitbuildit]

I know what you mean David. I've even taken kitchen scraps from my in-laws to compost. I just view all of that as wasted resources when it is thrown out in the regular trash.

[@mercilessdragon5474]

I live in a sandy loam area. The sand layer is also shallow. Happen to come across a mere mention of the benefits of using wood ash to improve the quality of clay soils. Wood ash breaks the components that makes clay a sticky clump. Last year I dug out a 16'× 4' raised bed. I put aside the dug up dirt to load the trench with rotten wood then layered the wood with cardboard. All of this was done to establish a tall supportive base for my raised bed. I had saved about 50 lb bag of wood ash from a wood burning stove. The soil from the trench was mostly clay. So I applied a generous helping of wood ash as I refilled my raised bed. On the final layers I started to add compost with the dirt. 4months later as I pulled the spent vegatables plants off I noticed a big improvement . The clay had turned into a great loamy soil. The compost helped but as you showed here. The change din not reach deep enough. This year try using wood ash on your garden plot. Wood ash is high in potassium which promotes root growth. Just sharing.

[@pthomps1111]

I had no idea that wood ash improves clay soil. I have mostly clay soil in my garden, so I will use more wood ash on my garden. I've also added lots of leaves and other organic material layers in the fall, so I'll add the ash on top. Thanks!

[@parkiescreation77]

I did read about wood ash and I had added some to my soil I’m doing an experiment with

[@Bob46374]

I think it will effect ph levels. It’s not good in an alkaline soil

[@apteryx7080]

Have you seen the Survival Gardening channel video on making terra preta? I feel you might find his experience interesting, the follow-up and results are staggering.

[@smas3256]

@@Bob46374 ph is something sold as: we need to buy this and that to have success. Once the ash is watered the nutrients go into the soil and the plant uptakes what it need. I'd think that ashes should be added for strong roots. How much and how often you can do the research for your soil condition. Older studies have been proven wrong.

[@douglasfairmeadow]

Love your videos and straightforward style. Never change!!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Douglas! I'll do my best to keep it up.

[@GroProOrg]

This is something I've thought about trying and you made me want to get started

[@growitbuildit]

It's done absolute wonders for my yard

[@denathompson6527]

So glad to see this video. I did actually what you did last year without knowing if it would help or not. Saw a slight difference this spring. My garden soil is very dark in color but compacts just like your clay soil. I will continue to use the leaves and hope for even better soil next year. Thanks

[@growitbuildit]

You're welcome Dena. I had always put some leaves on my garden, but never more than an inch or two. And it would be far from uniform. 2019/2020 was the first year I really piled it on, and the results were excellent. Hope you see as much improvement as I have have - good luck!

[@flash_flood_area]

Feeling validated... I started collecting neighborhood leaves this fall, and dumping them in my desert backyard. I imagined my kids would think I was nuts, but they approve. And now I can also show them this. Looking forward to the results, and already planning to get more leaves next year.

[@growitbuildit]

That's awesome. You will love the results

[@sunshine5349]

I used to poop in buckets and pee in milk jugs to add to my garden. you are pretty normal. lol.

[@AhrayahLaban]

@@sunshine5349 How were the results from using humanure?

[@hmh3808]

Love love LOVE your soil videos!! Thank you so much from north of Toronto. ❤Keep up the GREAT work pleeeeease. …. u have a clear cut no BS way of teaching and u r really REALLY good at sharing your experience and wisdom!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you!

[@Nillaferilla]

You are getting me excited to get back into this hobby.

[@growitbuildit]

I'm glad I am able to do that - gardening is good for the soul.

[@1voluntaryist]

I started organic gardening in the mid '50s. I had to compost leaves because they didn't break down readily and kept soil from breathing. I had no way to shred. In the '90s I bought an electric vacuum/shredder, 15-1. It was so much better/quicker than composting. And my garden grew better, with less weeding when using shredded leaf mulch. I learned from experience: SHREDDED LEAF MULCH is the best soil builder/feeder. Don't garden without it.

[@growitbuildit]

I couldn't agree more Don. It's the best thing I've done for my soil.

[@normanbabbitt8876]

I agree with all this even form a raised bed perspective. I tried straw, alfalfa, pine straw with some leaves, and just straight leaves, the pine straw with leaves offered the best immediate water retention, but the straight leaves did the best for soil quality.

[@growitbuildit]

The results for me have just been awesome. Everything is compressing nicely as of now.

[@michaelkraft6018]

I put a good amount of leaves on my raised beds, probably 5-6 inches in the fall. Can I plant straight into them or is that too much and some or all should be removed?

[@growitbuildit]

@michael kraft I show what I do in the update videos. I peel back leaves, plant, then replace leaves, but leave a 2-3" gap to stem.

[@pamelak819]

I absolutely love your gardening content. Keep it up!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Pamela!

[@simone_anne]

Great video!! I'm adding leaves to my garden for the first time this year. I really appreciate the in depth video. Thanks for sharing!

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Simone - it has done wonders for my garden. Good luck!

[@TheGardenGram]

New sub. Thank you for this video. I've been working on improving my clay soil for a while now. By adding amendments, worm casting, and now leaving the leaves in my garden beds. It doesn't look the greatest right now, but I'm hoping it will help!

[@growitbuildit]

This helps a ton! Organic matter is the key for breaking everything up and improving drainage. I've found that I don't always have clay - more often it is over-compacted sandy loam that behaves like clay. Good luck Linda!

[@TheGardenGram]

@@growitbuildit thanks, my goal nice fluffy soil, it’s getting there!

[@kariblom1223]

Wow, this is a great video with explanation to keep things simple. I really appreciate the easy breakdown of this topic and all of the visual comparisons. I have lots of leaves and used them to cover the beds before the snow. I wasn't sure what I'd do with them in the spring and now I know. I was so worried they'd turn anaerobic. Much thanks. I appreciate your addressing the jumping worms. I don't have them here, yet, and am trying to be proactive so they don't arrive via fish bait dumps to the garden or compost worm order.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Kari! I'm glad you found it helpful. It makes the effort worth it to get nice comments like this and help people. Best of luck. The jumping worms were here before we bought the house, and who really knows for how long. But there are lots of them. You just need to learn to live with them, as there is no control method outside of killing everything. I have read that they can expand over 10 acres per year, which is crazy.

[@paolomaggi8188]

One of the best video ever on this subject! Thank you

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Paolo - I'm very happy you enjoyed it!

[@augustowaloonski6]

I guess I really didn't know much before watching this video, very informative, straightforward, and simple. 👏👏👏 thank you for sharing and teaching. 👍

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome. Leaves do wonders for my yard.

[@offbaseify]

Good video. Leaves are a great source of nutrients as well as a conditioner for your soil. I do till my leaves into the soil at the end of the season. I also add a large amount of grass clippings to offset the nitrogen depletion. Grass clippings act as a slow release fertilizer close to the equivalent of a 4-1-2 fertilizer. During the spring and summer months, I lay grass clippings around all my plants. This virtually eliminates any weeds, adds nitrogen and moisture to the soil, and in the cooler nights of spring adds a little warmth to the plants. As the clipping dry, they create a weed barrier and block the summer sun from drying out the soil. Leaves are great, but leaves combined with grass clippings are the one two punch. After five years at a new location, my garden soil is pitch black and easily tillable to 12 inches. I was taught this method by my late father who grew up in the depression and had gardens his whole life. You'll be surprised by the output of produce from your plants. Plus it's great to spend only a few minutes a day picking out a stray weed here and there.

[@growitbuildit]

The weed barrier aspect was such an awesome benefit. It does two jobs at once.

[@daleglenny8253]

Consider rethinking tilling your soil. There is so much evidence that tilling breaks the beneficial mycelia threads that symbiotically nourish microbes and plants, and that no til/ no dig produces higher yields.

[@offbaseify]

@@daleglenny8253 Farmers have been tilling for generations. Studies have shown that a no till method is more expensive and does not benefit the planting of most crops. Some crops like corn actually suffer.

[@TheHealthLife]

@@offbaseify and this is why our earths topsoil is shit. They have to add fertilizers to have stuff grow. Also, back yard gardens are not mass production businesses. No till is the future, especially as you get older. Look up back to eden gardening. All about covering the soil.

[@offbaseify]

@@TheHealthLife Money drives everything when it comes to mass production. I will say that in my 60 plus years of gardening my method has worked flawlessly. I would challenge the output and soil quality of my garden against any no till garden. Maybe read some of the other posts that also recommend tilling.

[@youngbuck5009]

Awesome video. My family friend has for years done the same as you but tilled the remaining layer into the soil in the spring with no adverse effects. Their sunlight situation isn’t ideal but the rich soil gives them success with just about everything they grow. I’m trying this but plan on covering the leaf layer with a layer of compost in early spring to finish the job.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you xSolo - if your friend has success, then I wouldn't change anything. When it comes to gardening, I don't argue with results. Layering the leaves with compost will probably have you set up for some good yields this coming year. Good luck!

[@caseG80]

Tilling isnt a good idea for few reasons one being it disturbs the worms possibly even kills some and there eggs, also disturbs the microbes, mycorrhiza or fungal hyphy. All the life that’s been happily doing its thing is disturbed and exposed to sun light. It’s also a step that takes time thst could be used doing something else. A freshly tilled area looks appealing to the eye and easy to work in but results would most likely be all the better without tilling. Cheers

[@yinghongtan]

@@caseG80 That explains the population of earth works in my garden disappears after tilling. Never thought of that. Thanks.

[@MikeB-jn2bu]

@@caseG80 I thought the same about tilling with leaves but only doing it for the first year. I figured it would disturb the microbes and worms but only in the first season.

[@mattheweiland8529]

Great succinct video answering questions I had about practical implications of using leaf mulch in my market garden, thanks!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Matthew - I'm glad I could help you out. I don't like to overcomplicate anything!

[@wendydrummond7395]

Thank you so much for your valuable information, God bless you and your family and keep you prosperous

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Wendy!

[@stevecooper8121]

Been doing this for two years and it really makes a huge difference on the garden. I have 3 big maples and a popular tree, run the mulching blade over the yard then my sweeper and dump and spread out to about 8 inches deep.Add all my coffee grounds and filters, the amount of earth worms are amazing.

[@growitbuildit]

My experience matches yours Steve - leaves & organic matter are amazing for improving soil

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

I always get my neighbors leaves in the fall. It has made a huge difference in my garden soil. It pays to shred them up with a mower.

[@growitbuildit]

I couldn't agree more Gerhard. The results are excellent.

[@caseG80]

Shreeding provides more surface area

[@mauricedavis2905]

I have been doing the same for years now this year I found a place around our lake where the geese poop. I collect the poop and till it in with the leaves🤫

[@flash_flood_area]

@@mauricedavis2905 I had started collecting neighborhood leaves this fall, and dumping them in my backyard. My chickens have been both breaking them down and adding their poop to the mix.

[@flatsville1]

No geese or chickens? Pee in a bottle then pour the urine on your leaves until the hard freeze hits.

[@tintunbirha]

Thank God I came across this video. I have plenty of leaves and getting rid of them is a problem. Now I know what to do with them.

[@growitbuildit]

And to think you've been throwing away the key to good soil for years!

[@martinschulz9381]

Right on, makes sense. I will fill my garden with chopped maple leaves here soon. I have used composted cow manure as well with amazing results.

[@growitbuildit]

You will love the results Martin

[@maylemom]

I appreciate that you show comparisons as time evolves from one year to the next. Most vlogs show putting something together and never show results. I gathered 72 bags of leaves this year. I'm trying many different things. Composting in the bag, tumbling, some in the garden, and then some emptied in the chicken run. They are all experiments to see what happens. The one problem I have here is wind. One day I dumped leaves for the chickens to scratch through. The next morning after a windy night, no leaves. (I use the same 2x4 welded wire fence.) That wasn't helpful. In one garden bed where I put leaves, I covered with garden cloth and put rocks on it to keep it from blowing away. It will be interesting to see what it looks like when I uncover in the spring. One question. In many, many youtube videos, the vlogger states, "The worms will come." If the yard starts out as all clay and there are not worms, where do they come from? Thanks for sharing your trade "secrets" to help us newbies!

[@growitbuildit]

Hi - that is a bummer about the wind. It almost sounds you live in NW Iowa or Tornado alley. Perhaps hosing the leaves down would help? But to answer your question, in general the worms are there. They are just deeper then you've seen. Most worms are actually an invasive species in North America. But, when you provide a food source and habitat that they like, they tend to find their way there. I didn't see many or any worms when I first removed my grass for my veggie garden. But, they dutifully showed up without an invitation. It's kind of like saying, 'nature finds a way'. I thought I had clay soil, and while I don't have 'clay'....I have overly compacted silt with virtually no hint of worms in the turf-grass areas. So, you might be surprised. It's kind of like the old line, 'if you build it, they will come'. Give them a reason, and you may be surprised. And thank you for the kind words - it means a lot!

[@tilinfoster]

We live on the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida and it gets windy here too. Using leaves as mulch for our beds with no fencing between neighbors can be challenging so we hose the leaves down with water when we first lay them and with each layer and then add sticks or whatever is available. They sort of bind together after a month of daily watering or so and we don't have to worry about them obtaining lift off.

[@bierbrauer11]

Re: black walnut - compost the leaves separately for 6mo. and you should be good to go.

[@JulesGardening]

Excellent demonstration. Thanks. Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Jules - Merry Christmas to you too sir!

[@ramwall1500]

When I did this a few years ago I took and Doug all my dirt up about 6 or 8 in deep put the leaves down and then put the dirt back over them and mixed it up and then had a great Garden a lot of work though but it was worth it

[@lar113]

In 2021, there will be a lot fewer leaf bags for the yard waste disposal company to pick up from my house. Not sure I can use all the leaves, but I will try. Between this and creating leaf mold and compost, I will be off to a good start Thank you for the video.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent Lar. I am basically using about 2X the leaves this year. I expect that they will all break down just the same. We've always had decent yields by just amending with compost in the holes where we planted. But this year it was a big difference. Our plants were much larger than ever before, and we had a ton of veggies. Good luck!

[@greggy553]

Keep the mulch deep enough and you will never have to weed your garden.

[@growitbuildit]

Amen to that

[@JustMe-nv5xy]

Thank you so much for this. I've always been a flower gardener, but have not grown many vegetables, other than tomatoes, jalapenos and green onions...until last year. I grew a variety of different veggies, with varying success. Vine borers and squash bugs hit me hard. I also realised that my soil could use improvement and that coastal Bermuda grass is just impossible to keep out of my garden beds (central Texas) *sigh. I had the idea that leaves from my woods might be an answer to my problem. That is when I searched and found your video. Thank you again for all the details. The best of luck with your garden. I'm now subscribed and look forward to more.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! And good luck to you too!

[@user-uy3pl8gp4u]

I've never really known what compost was exactly but this was a helluva informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it!

[@bestseedorchard1107]

As longs as you are positive that the leaves come from a disease free tree leaf mulch is great. But if those trees have any disease the spores can be in the leaves and composting will not kill all the spores, some spores remain viable for 10-20 years waiting for a plant to be present to infect. The disease then spreads to the plant , goes up to the leaves and the cycle starts again. So inspect the trees carefully during the summer and be sure they are healthy before collecting leaves.

[@lisakukla459]

If there's any concern, just hot compost them first. As little as 1 cubic yard is enough mass to achieve proper temperature, and diluted urine provides enough nitrogen and moisture to get the process going, for example, but "compost starter" can also be purchased. If the pile holds a temp of 120°-140° for a week or more, which is pretty easy to manage, pathogens and weed seeds will be eliminated and it can safely be spread over the garden at that point. The compost basically pasteurizes itself, with very minimal effort on your part. There's really no need to wait for it to be fully decomposed before it's applied to the garden.

[@danarzechula3769]

@@lisakukla459 what is the ratio of urine to water

[@tbluemel]

Damn, this is a GREAT video!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you sir!

[@cooki47]

I’ve been collecting leaves now in town for three years. I lucked out last Sunday when I went in and found two families raking up piles of leaves. They happily filled all my bags for me😀

[@growitbuildit]

Nice find! I'm going to be doing a bit of cruising for leaves today too

[@davidbogard4826]

Yes, leaves are the best. We used to have lots of rabbit manure and grass clippings also. Our garden was awesome. I used to have a mulch pile but sometimes I would dig a furrow and blow the leaves in with the mower, then bury them as I made the next furrow.

[@knuckledraggingneanderthal720]

Black raspberries do well under black walnut tree's, if you have walnut leaves mulch your black raspberries with them.

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent tip. And a delicious berry. Can't wait until mine start producing.

[@carmenortiz5294]

Black raspberries are great, unless they are spreading everywhere (like mine are, thanks birds). Last year, I decided to replant the ones I pull out, next to my fence that circles most of my yard to keep people out, those thorns are deadly. They do too well everywhere.

[@carmenortiz5294]

@@growitbuildit Careful what you wish for, good luck. lol I have canned black raspberries to last me a few years, can't give enough away.

[@growitbuildit]

Before I had little kids I used to go to a massive patch in the mountains each summer to forage. I would fill up a small lunch cooler and freeze most. But they are awesome.

[@Casiusss3]

Walnut leaves have some juglon however not so much to make huge damage. Skin around the nut have huge amounts of it so do not throw nut skin from walnut this will have huge impact on the surrounding soil

[@frankscales7295]

Im in my mid 70s and i half collected leaves for many years, a good video my friend. two best things you can do to break down leaves are coffee grounds and urine. Drink a couple of pints of water which is very good for you anyway and your leaves will thank you for the big Boost of nitrogen. Keep up the good work.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! And you're right. Those are excellent tips.

[@jackwezesa1081]

I wouldn’t suggest urine .

[@chelsearuiz6601]

Very thorough, well-paced, well presented, science- backed content. Just subscribed! Have been binging your videos and love it. Keep up the great work!

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Chelsea!

[@kathrynkastner6064]

Awesome. I feel the same way about leaves!

[@growitbuildit]

They are the best free resource available.

[@gailthornbury291]

I too use all the leaves I can get my hands on. Just an observation about your turning the leaves. I think this is appropriate during a hot composting phase but after that decomposition is mostly fungal and by turning at that stage you might be actually harming the mycelium and slowing decomposition. Maybe after the initial heating it would actually be better not to disturb the leaves. Less work too.

[@growitbuildit]

I think you are exactly right Gail. I agree.

[@wespetit150]

This is the start of the leaves-street-war 4 al them watched tis thumbnail hahahaha. No ofence

[@curiousbystander9193]

thanks for the accurate input....while his direct application to the garden seems easy, the best way would be to get ahead of the game one year.. where you shred your fall leaves, let them hot compost, turn them once then let them migrate into a 6 months cold, fungal compost, then add to the garden...... this direct application of leaves may be limiting the N available each spring..

[@shirlenehigbie5677]

On my landscape I only use leaf mulch ... been doing that for the past 10 or so years ... Mostly flowers and shrubs ... however I do have three tomato plants that grow really tall with nice tomatoes so many that I have to share them with my neighbor .... Unfortunately I have to buy my mulch ---- Bummer ... !!!

[@judyrobertson5564]

Wow, that is very impressive. Thank you so much for sharing that. God bless you and yours.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you Judy - and God bless you too

[@urbanhomesteadingpdx]

Great video on the value of leaf mulch. We always wish we had more, it's always surprising how much it shrinks down when you make a batch.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you! It is amazing. My 12" of leaves from last Autumn is about 3-4" now. Just planted the garden out this weekend.

[@rubytuby6369]

I put 2ft of leaves on my garden every year for the past 3 years. The soil is great,full of worms and bugs.

[@momdoan]

eew bugs? {teasing}

[@lostinfens]

Do you put them on whole or shredded?

[@rubytuby6369]

@@lostinfens Mostly whole leaves some people cut them with their mowers and throw them in the bags., I go around town in the fall and just pick up 10 bags at a time from peoples yards who have already raked them up and put them in the bags for me they’re all free.

[@ZE308AC]

Just imagine if people left the leaves pile up in the backyard to improvement on the soil.

[@growitbuildit]

I know - they would save a ton on fertilizer.

[@simpleminded5215]

If you leave them piled up on grass you will kill every bit of grass the leaves cover. Learned that the hard way in my early twenties at the house we rented. Wasn’t a good experience. 🤔

[@danarzechula3769]

@@simpleminded5215 oh I don't know Less grass more room for vegetables..

[@Garricher5958]

Excellent!!! I have used Chipdrop in addition to the leaves, and do also bury food wastes in the soil. My soil is becoming MULCH better!!!

[@growitbuildit]

I bet it absolutely is getting beautiful Richard.

[@newellbros1483]

I have added leaves to my garden this year also. I work for local goverment and had to collect the leavesas part of my job so I filled a 8x4 trailer consolidating them several times to fit more in. It took me 5 hours to fill the trailer! I should have a bumper crop this year. Watching your video reminds me i need to turn the leaves. Good video

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Newell - this past year I never turned my leaves. Everything worked out fine. So I don't turn them anymore.

[@sharonwhite1629]

I have a small pecan orchard. (36 trees) I had read that pecan trees and their leaves, wood mulch and even roots may have similar compound as black walnut. I do have a large mulberry tree, couple of ash trees and a few fruit trees I can use but very difficult to keep leaves separated with the wind. I am a novice gardener and just beginning. Any comments or advice?

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Sharon - I wasn't aware that Pecan trees also had Juglone. I just looked it up, and it appears to be the case. There are a few options you could try. The first being compost the leaves. The microbes will break down the Juglone over time. The second option would be to just try to only use leaves in areas where you don't plant veggies that die of Juglone. Tomatoes are supposed to be particularly susceptible. This has about all the plants I have been able to find documentation on: growitbuildit.com/plants-poisoned-from-juglone-black-walnut/ If you were to compost the leaves, or even apply it as mulch, you could test it out on an extra tomato plant. And just see how it was effected vs the others. You may find that the amount of juglone is small by the time growing season rolls around, and the plant is unaffected. Or, you may just lose one plant.

[@sharonwhite1629]

Thank you for the great advice. This will be something I need to experiment with and continue to research.

[@growitbuildit]

Hi Sharon - I thought of something else that might interest you. I do compost some black walnut sawdust and wood shavings, as I sometimes use that kind of wood. I have never noticed an adverse effect. But, the proportion of Walnut material in the compost would be very low. So, take that for what it is worth. I just thought you would like to know that.

[@sharonwhite1629]

Thank you again. I recently bought an electric wood chipper and put some of the pecan wood chips in my recent very first compost pile. But again not many. Also the wood was very dry. I’ll use them primarily in walking paths but will experiment as you suggested.

[@MasterKenfucius]

Do yourself a favor and get some wood chips! You'll accellerate what you're trying to do by 10x. I went from sand to deep organic soil in less than 2 years.

[@growitbuildit]

Fully agree with you. I just like the price of leaves!

[@MasterKenfucius]

@@growitbuildit I don't pay anything for wood chips. Find a tree service that chips them and doesn't want to pay dumping fees at the landfill and they will be happy to bring them to you for FREE... as many as you can handle! I used to get several 75 cu yd trucks full of them because the tree service would have to pay $400 to dump those at the landfill. They saved a ton of money and I got free chips. That's going to change your life!

[@growitbuildit]

Cool. Thanks for the tip

[@tilinfoster]

It depends on where you are located. Wood chips completely dried out our sandy soil and didn't degrade like the leaves did. If you are mimicking a forest floor, wood chips are not as prevalent as leaves. With leaves we have organic soil within months.

[@MasterKenfucius]

@@tilinfoster Saying that wood chips dried your sandy soil is like saying that coffee grounds made your water cleaner. If your soil was still dry after the chips, imagine what it would have been like without them being that they retain water while sand just let the water trickle down. Leaves are nutriet rich and will decay faster than the chips but you will need them piled 6-10 feet high to get the same biomass that 12 inches of hard-wood chips provide. The chips give you the advantage of keeping the weeds out for much longer than if you get a bunch of organic matter quickly. Woods chips retain water. You just didn't get any rain. Wood rots with moisture because fungi eat it all up. Once that gets destroyed then the worms move in and start consuming the little pieces, and that's why you keep adding another 3-4 inch layer of wood chips every year... to keep that cycle going.

[@ahnaahna7278]

We laid flattened cardboard boxes down onto our flower beds and piled mulch on 2 years ago. Barely a weed. We started a new bed with cardboard and we mowed the millions of leaves and put that on the new area along with some store bought mulch. We were able to use both the leaves and mulch by staggering out...our purchases of the mulch in the new bed. Your video is helpful....to remind us to utilize the shredded leaves more and more. Thanks, Ahna

[@growitbuildit]

You are very welcome Ahna - leaves are the best!

[@hobbitlady7568]

YES. Came here to pat myself on the back haha. Been mulching with leaves and it's a game changer.

[@growitbuildit]

It absolutely is a game changer

[@compiticny1445]

Growing up we had a 1/2 acre garden that was started on some very poor soil and did the same as you; leaves and grass clippings, along with apples from our trees that we couldn't use/give away. In the spring we, as in I, would rake all the composted material off the bed and pile it at the highest point in the garden. Before dad would till the beds I would harvest the rocks/stones and there were plenty growing up in Rockland county. There were other amendments and things added over the years and you could see the difference in the soil and growth after the first year. Nice job.

[@growitbuildit]

That is awesome Jamie. And I can definitely relate with harvesting 'rocks'. PA soil is awful. But you really can see the difference year over year.

[@thomasthomas1359]

The compost/soil amendment content is awesome

[@growitbuildit]

You are welcome Thomas- glad you found it helpful!

[@titanrahlgaming]

Always good to be reminded of the natural ways of doing things :)

[@growitbuildit]

Nature usually has it all figured out for us. We just need to pay attention.

[@vickiesorenson2385]

This is very true ! Ty for sharing with others. One thing to mention is certain leaves like black walnuts etc are not good to use.

[@shastadaisy8794]

Thanks ! I really dig this info 🌿😎

[@growitbuildit]

Excellent - you are very welcome!

[@tonydancz6789]

I did the same here in Florida on my fruit trees mulch them up it works awesome

[@blackwolf073]

Great video. Leaf mulch is amazing.

[@growitbuildit]

Thank you - it has completely transformed my soil

[@AShroudOfTruth]

My moms husband told me years ago not to rake them, but just mow over them because they were good for the soil. of course, your advice is good too if you have a garden.

[@growitbuildit]

Your mom's husband isn't wrong, as they will help the soil. As long as they aren't too thick, you can even just leave them until the Spring.