How to make Leaf Mould (Mold) the Easy Way

[@pamelacorsi]

I learned how to make leaf mold from you a couple of years ago and used it on my flower border around my veg garden. The flowers were better than ever despite the drought! Since then I have multiple containers making leaf mold. Thank you, Paul!

[@paultsworld]

Wow, you’re a prolific leaf mould maker now! It certainly is handy during a drought because of its moisture retentive nature. So pleased it’s working out so well for you Pamela.

[@kevincrain7499]

Your leaf mold directions are right up my alley, simple , without complication . Thank you

[@paultsworld]

Thank you - that’s very encouraging. 👍

[@HeiderosesPhotograph]

I never rake up leaves and leave them for my trees, bushes, and raspberry garden and they love it. Last year I kept some in containers and put a tube in it with my new raised fox cloves. They did not die and now I even have leaf mold for my soil mixes for my new plants. Thanks for your video.

[@paultsworld]

You are making good use of the leaves. I always try to add leaf mould to my mixes - great for moisture retention. 👍

[@ericbeale4845]

😂😢😮😅😊​@@paultsworld

[@AJsGreenThumbLLC]

Paul I really really like that first container to store your leaves. Fabulous success in creating that leaf mold...I've been harvesting all my trees leaves and the exxxtra work is so worth it. Thanks for this upload!

[@paultsworld]

Hi AJ, I also really like those bags - they’re pretty tough and get used a lot. Great to hear you’re totally into leaf mould for your garden - makes for a great Autumn work-out!

[@khayescobar1819]

Thank you very much for your new upload been a while 👍❤️🙏

[@paultsworld]

Thanks Khay, 👍

[@NanasWorms]

I went to a local mattress manufacturer and got some huge plastic bags they were no longer able to use. We filled two of them with maple leaves and one of them with oak leaves. Filled the mattress bags with water, then punched a few holes for drainage. I couldn’t resist and took a peek at a maple leaf bag after eight months. I started feeding it to my worm bins and they LOVE it! Castings are rich and black and the composting worms are a deep ruby purple as well. This year, we are doing the same but taking the added step of shredding the leaves first.

[@paultsworld]

That’s very resourceful of you - no wonder the worms were happy!

[@Sharon-m8s]

This is great method simply and easy

[@britishgal1808-Sue]

It’s amazing how you can get compost (hubby calls it that) from a pile of leaves, and it’s free! Great video, Paul:)

[@paultsworld]

Hi Sue - yeah, I love free stuff that literally falls from the sky!

[@britishgal1808-Sue]

@@paultsworld Thats the best kind “free” 😂

[@janereel1903]

I enjoy all your videos. I especially like how you make a short video on a topic (like leaf mold). The information is concise and I can watch the whole thing while having breakfast or tea. A single topic also makes it easy to find again. Which I do like watching you more than once as good reminders. I garden in zone 6A, upstate NY.

[@paultsworld]

Thank you for explaining that Jane. I’ll bear your thoughts in mind - it makes logical sense. I have also put various themes of videos in ‘playlists’ that might also help, I have put this one in ‘Jobs in the Garden’. I have visited the fall colours of Upstate NY - so I know you’ll have plenty of leaves to compost.

[@gardensenglishandtrivia]

I use only plastic bags which I hide behind my compost bins, I haven't got space for containers, unfortunately. Your leaf mould is of superior quality, definitely. Last winter/spring some animals (mice?) made holes in the bags and probably nested in them. PS. The current number of your subscribers is astounding, congratulations!

[@paultsworld]

Great that you’ve found some space - the beauty of it is the plants won’t be judging quality - it all has the same nutrients, and provides a home for wildlife! I am very pleased and excited that there are so many lovely gardening enthusiasts in this world and feel honoured that so many come together on my channel.

[@mayarada2059]

I absolutely love watching this video , its very helpful by giving me such a great idea by keeping up the dropping leaves into my garden , I absolutely very interested making my own handmade compost .

[@paultsworld]

I'm so pleased it has inspired you to make your own leaf mould - thank you for letting me know.

[@catherinemulvihill7121]

Morning paul. this video was perfect was perfect timing. I had just got a builders bag. As iv got so many leaves at the moment. So i look forward to see what i end up with. I just love autumn and its colours. Have a good day 🇮🇪

[@paultsworld]

Good morning Catherine, a builder’s bag fits an unbelievable amount of leaves - I filled one last year and made more leaf mould than ever. Have a nice time in the garden in this warm Autumn. 🌻

[@doreenlatimer6379]

Mowing over leaves is easiest way to deal with them. Glad you are having lovely Autumn weather. We also on BC Canada west coast enjoying unusual sunny spell in Nov.

[@paultsworld]

Isn’t it nice having such a long season - nice weather into November. I visited your area a few years ago and see your climate is similar in many respects to mine.

[@ОльгаЛункина-н5е]

Рада вас снова видеть в вашем саду. Спасибо за нужную информацию по изготовлению компоста.

[@paultsworld]

Thank you Ольга for watching and enjoying the video.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🤗 PAUL, GOOD DAY TO YOU,WE ARE WATCHING WITH OUR MORNING COFFEE ☕️ AND THANKS FOR SHARING THIS VERY INTERESTING VIDEO 💡🙂💚💚💚

[@paultsworld]

Glad I was there with you during your morning coffee! All the best, Paul. 🌻

[@JennyT101]

My husband works in construction and got me a discaded 1 ton builders bag after I showed him your video. Can't wait to make some leaf mould this fall!

[@paultsworld]

That will work perfectly! Good luck - leaves are on their way 😀

[@mr.sidhanta5982]

Very informative! I applied leaf mould in my plants 💚

[@paultsworld]

Glad you like to make leaf mould - your plants will appreciate it. 👍

[@sk8queen]

I’m now waiting on my neighbors with untreated yards to rake their lawns so that I can collect them to mulch. I will start one of these this year.

[@paultsworld]

Great idea to gather plenty of leaves as they rot down considerably - so keep topping up the container to end up with a good amount of leaf mould. 👍

[@RoseCottageColleen]

I noticed you only mowed/mulched the leaves in your driveway, which made me so glad. There are insects like luna moths, and lightning bugs that overwinter in leaves. Thanks to you, I've raided my brother's driveway for bags of leaves to use next year in my garden. Thank you so much for your channel. 🍂🍁🥀🌻

[@paultsworld]

Good morning Colleen, I find it’s addictive collecting leaves - bet your brother was delighted you swooped in and hoovered up! 🌸🌻

[@vickiperkins476]

Hi Paul, awesome info. Isn’t it something that “ good dirt “ can be so beautiful 😊❤️

[@paultsworld]

Hello Vicki, I agree - I am fascinated by soil, compost and leaf mould! 🌻

[@wendychandler8304]

I thought it was time you made leaf mould! Lots here, but until the big cherry trees have dropped theirs, I'm not in a rush. Lots on the lane, but the council wagon beat us to those Today I've been re-pottig some new euphorbias - such a variety of those. Thanks Paul.

[@paultsworld]

I wonder what the council do with the leaves? My council simply go down the road with a blower - most end up under my hedge!

[@wendychandler8304]

@@paultsworld Here they send a sucker not a blower, so it all goes to a tip. You're lucky!

[@tomasacreyes6701]

Buenos días señor,Paul gracias por sus consejos de jardín y mostrarnos su lindo jardín 🪴🌳🎋🌼🌸🌷🌹bendiciones 🙌🙏💚

[@paultsworld]

Holá Tomasa, gracias por sus palabras lindas. 🌸🌻

[@Travellingwithakira]

Hoping to make leaf mould one day! Started growing deciduous trees after you explained how to grow trees in smaller garden, I planted them closer and now I'm waiting for them to grow bigger so that one day I can create leaf mould. 😊

[@paultsworld]

Your trees will grow quickly - it will be so satisfying to then make leaf mould to continue the cycle. Thank you for letting me know.

[@Mandy-q6c]

Well I just pick up leaves from curbside.

[@mariamojicasarmiento]

Good morning, omg what's a great idea using a builders bag! About a year ago you also had a video using a plastic bag! Love both videos! Thanks for sharing your wonderful garden and videos! Enjoy the fall!

[@paultsworld]

Hello Maria, builder’s bags work really well - I filled one last year. How nice you remember my other leaf mould video. 🌻🌸

[@paulinecrispin121]

I have never had any success meeting leafmold. I have tried black bin bags with holes made in them. Bottomless compost bins and builders bags like you have. After 1 or even 2 years I have just ended up with bags of leaves, which I end up putting in my normal compost bins. I think from watching you I have faild to add enough water. I will leave it for this year, as we will be moving in the summer due to my work. Thanks for all the tips 😀

[@paultsworld]

Sorry you didn’t have any success Pauline - does sound as though they were too dry. But having them in the normal compost means you still benefited from them. First thing to do in your new garden is plan the leaf mould/compost area - then the flower beds 😃🌻 good luck with your move.

[@paulinecrispin121]

Thanks 😊

[@rondalynnchapman7717]

Great video - thank you so much for the timely information

[@paultsworld]

Glad it was useful to you. 👍

[@TheEnthusiasticGardener]

Thanks for this great video Paul. I have started my leaf collecting system and storing it all out the way behind my cabin. Fingers crossed mine tell turn out as good as yours. Still many more leaves still on the trees like yours. Unfortunately I don’t have a lawn mower so can’t speed up the process by mowing them. Take care!!

[@paultsworld]

I knew you’d find a nice place behind the cabin - leaf collecting system - I love it Janette!

[@dawndawn6946]

Thanks for this! It was very reassuring. 🙂 Last year I used my blower and just blew the leaves into my beds. Today, I plan to cut them up with the mower. They suppressed my weeds really well this year! Hopefully, they fed the worms anyway. 😆

[@paultsworld]

If I put the leaves straight on the beds the blackbirds would fling them onto the pathways and lawns looking for worms underneath. lol Let me know how how cutting them up works for you.

[@bluesky7226]

Love leaf mold! Absolute gold for the garden! I have a small gardening business and at this time of year we collect a lot of leaves. They don't break down as quickly in my dry prairie environment. We add them to my compost and we also scatter the munched leaves on our prairie. The birds love rummaging through them! Great video Paul! Thank you!

[@paultsworld]

Ha, ha - my blackbirds rummage big-time, they throw everything everywhere! You must be a mine of info running a gardening business - how fabulous.

[@bluesky7226]

@@paultsworld ha! I was once told I was a mine of useless information! That was prior to my gardening work! For sure I've gained a lot of experiences from gardening in different microclimates... that and the fact that I have worked at a garden centre for 30 years!

[@paultsworld]

My goodness - you need to do a gardening channel - I’d be your first subscriber straight away!

[@bluesky7226]

@@paultsworld nope! Too much work. I did some videos a while back for the garden centre I work for. You do a great job! Keep it up!

[@paultsworld]

It certainly is hard work. I do love to listen to really experienced people.

[@tatianachuyko5126]

I use leaves all time every year. It's nice compost)

[@paultsworld]

It certainly is good compost.

[@margaretmichelsen766]

Good Morning Paul, great video, fabulous editing and great teaching. The worm count definitely goes up and a great way to drought-proof. It is a very satisfying task. I just adore that little robin, he supervises and approves of your gardening practices. 🤣

[@paultsworld]

Hi there Margaret, that Robin sees the camera come out and he’s there - all preened and ready to roll. I had noticed he was about, jumping around the hedge but hadn’t realised until I watched the video back that he was inspecting the bin and trying to upstage me - as per usual 😆

[@margaretmichelsen766]

He loves that you are farming worms for him. Definitely the extrovert of his kind. We had a little shrub wren that we called Cheeky Bird. It would come into the house and check out different rooms on different occasions. (We are having two frosts Wednesday Thursday 😱😖) Have a new sun garden bed in which I am putting only divisions and propagations from the rest of the garden in so I am very excited, just have to wait patiently for some warmer weather! Sounds like you are still warm-ish.

[@paultsworld]

Wow, your wren certainly was audacious. That’s an interesting project - I’ve been doing more cuttings and division with a fair bit of success and also find it really exciting.

[@margaretmichelsen766]

I know that you might think this would be too boring, but could you teach us some of your pruning of shrubs in Autumn and then the ones you do in late Winter/early Spring. A quick demo and before and after shots perhaps ? There are a lot of reluctant pruners out there that are not getting the most out of their plants, it could be very informative.

[@margaretmichelsen766]

PS my mother is staying here at the moment and she says to tell you, we are having real Cheshire weather here now! I don't think she likes Canberra and Surrounds !! 🤣

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

Great vid.. Never thought of using garden cloth to stop the roots

[@paultsworld]

Thanks Chris, yes - those tree roots know where the good stuff is!

[@stubbsaquatics6080]

@@paultsworld yes they do as they try to go through my pond liner lol

[@paultsworld]

Oh No! Sounds like bad news.

[@mkb7997]

My neighbors have liquid Amber trees. I’m going to raid their yards this fall. I’m hoping these aren’t considered broad leaves…. I am planning on ordering the permeable bags that can be reused. I was also thinking of repurposing my plastic trash can that is torn at the bottom from wear. I’ll just tear off the rest of the bottom and use its own lid. Thank you!

[@paultsworld]

Those bags are great! Yes, liquidambar leaves are good - and colourful - for leaf mould - I use mine. Good idea on repurposing an old plastic trash can.

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

I do the exact same thing and it’s beautiful 🥰

[@paultsworld]

So nice to hear there are many of us enjoying this yearly cycle. 🌻

[@viviz.4157]

Thank you for this video!! It is very helpfull!!

[@paultsworld]

You’re welcome! 👍

[@VaaniPlants]

Good dear 👌🤗

[@paultsworld]

Thank you Vaani. 🌻

[@soilgardengro6942]

Very good video ❤❤❤❤

[@paultsworld]

Thank you very much. 🌻👍

[@naazicookswellvlogs1784]

Useful information

[@paultsworld]

Thank you!

[@deewinston5651]

Thank you for sharing.

[@paultsworld]

You’re welcome 👍

[@kristinregine4798]

oh, your robin is such a lovely friend. .-)

[@paultsworld]

Glad you like him - he’s lovely little companion

[@aliceainscough1858]

Hi great video. I have a bag full of mainly sycamore leaves but they have black tar spot on them and now I don't know if I should use them as they might spread it to a few Japanese acers that I have

[@paultsworld]

Hi Alice, I’ve read that with black spot on roses not to compost them - so if your sycamore leaves have black spot then unfortunately best not to make leaf mould from them - especially as you have valuable Acers.

[@mikesmith-yj3ih]

thank you

[@paultsworld]

You're welcome

[@bulbboy7097]

Hi paul im trying to find out about overwintering small brugmanias...as i have one grow from seed its about 15 inches tall..shall i cut it or try grow it on indoors

[@paultsworld]

Hi! As it’s so small I would keep it indoors for its first Winter. Leave its leaves on and grow it on a little. Be very watchful for insects - perhaps spray it before bringing it in. If you are happy spraying then spray your big ones after you’ve taken all the leaves off to over-winter. It’s mealy bugs that can be a problem and spider mites with the one indoors.

[@mkb7997]

Is the link for the reusable bags for bags that are permeable? If not, do you punch holes in yourself or doors it not need to have water drainage?

[@paultsworld]

The link for the reusable bags are permeable so I don’t punch any holes in them. You don’t want stagnant water staying in the bag - it must be able to drain out.

[@itsmewende]

When I was a kid my mom would rake up all the leaves from a sparse woods in the front yard. She had a huge chicken wire fence around some trees, probably 10 feet in diameter, she'd fill it up. Of course we kids thought it was for playing in. I usually just leave mine all over the place, think this year I'll recruit the Grans to help with the raking.

[@paultsworld]

Wende, what a lovely story and memory! Raking leaves makes for a nice bonding session. 🌻

[@itsmewende]

@@paultsworld Question, do you cut back your gaura.? I'm digging Dahlia's today, it's crazy nice here, hate that it's climate change tho. Glad I got out there, it's nice digging, but boy is it damp, a couple tubers rotten already. Thanks for any advice on the gaura.

[@paultsworld]

I think I am going to cut the gaura back but I want to first check if there are any seeds on it - if there are, I'll leave it till early Spring - just in case it self-seeds. So satisfying to be out in the garden and preparing for Winter. I've done one or two jobs but it's so mild - my dahlias are staying in the ground but even though there hasn't been a frost they are exhausted and have stopped flowering so I might cut them back. Enjoy your garden!

[@itsmewende]

@@paultsworld Thanks for getting back, I'll check for seeds as.well. I left my dahlias last yr, some made it thru our usually hard winter. My dinner plates only had 1 dinner plate size all summer, I thought maybe lifting them would help.? If my farmers almanac is right, I'm in for a repeat.

[@paultsworld]

If you are leaving your dahlias in this Winter - what about covering them with garden membrane and placing an upturned pot or suchlike over them. That will keep a lot of rain off (which is the main problem with rotting) and also possibly keeping them warmer. I always worry when it rains a lot in Winter - cold and wet gets many plants and bulbs.

[@mkb7997]

I did it! Last fall, I followed your advice and today I am distributing my leaf mould. It's beautiful, teaming with worms and so rewarding. However, a couple of the bags are full of ants. I am so hesitant to distribute this leaf mould in my yard. I really don't see many ants on my property and I fear my whole yard will become infested. Do you have any suggestions on how I can deal with these ants while they are still in the bag. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. By the way, I live in Southern California, zone 10B

[@paultsworld]

I am so pleased you’re enjoying the yearly leaf mould cycle! Here in Britain our ants like dry, light material to live and nest in - so if we have ants in the leaf mould, compost bins or soil it means it’s too dry. Leaf mould holds water really well so it’s actually a place where our ants don’t want to be. Do you have anywhere you could put the bag of leaf mould and really soak it so the ants will disappear and then you can distribute it on your soil?

[@mkb7997]

Well I will certainly figure out a way that I can soak the leaf mold to make the ants want to find another habitat! The leaf mold is currently in heavy duty trash bags with the holes that I initially created to drain the water when I started this process. I may just add more water. Interestingly, the leaf mold is quite moist... I once read that to use corn meal to get rid of ants. They eat it and them then can't process the corn... I really appreciate your prompt reply. Have a great day!

[@paultsworld]

See if you can identify what kind of ant it is to see where it likes (and doesn’t like) to live. Good plan to add more water to your bags and see what happens. Good luck - please let me know how it goes. 👍

[@Bcba89]

Hi paul please can u tell me the variety name of your beautiful yellow eunymous.

[@paultsworld]

Hi, I think the one is Emerald ‘n’ gold. It is beautiful and keeps its colour all year.

[@ThePegasus101]

hi paul got a black bag full of leaves pricked the holes and watered...lets see

[@paultsworld]

Well done. The leaves will reduce down a lot so I suggest adding more leaves to those bags - and wetting them - in a few weeks when more room has been created.

[@ThePegasus101]

@@paultsworld yes just added 3 bags..the council piled leaves up here haha so i filled 3 bagsfull..next year ill buy one of those compost bins...looks easier

[@paultsworld]

I sometimes think I’ll sweep the streets for leaves. 🤣 If you had room you could create something from chicken wire.

[@abbashasan8344]

Are all plant leaves suitable to be used as compost? Because I watched more than one video advising not to use eucalyptus and oak leaves because they contain anti-decomposition

[@paultsworld]

You are correct - the best leaves are broad-leaf deciduous. I talk more about the best leaves and ones to avoid in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZamaKxpe5WEfac

[@abbashasan8344]

Thanks a lot

[@JS-jl1yj]

It's November 2023. I don't know about the rest of the North America, but In the province of Ontario, Canada, we have an epic white powdery mildew on all Maple trees. For the past 40+ years, I have been composting the maple leaves. But this Fall, I decided not to do that. I worry that the powdery mildew might survive inside my compost bin and create havoc in my veggie garden when I spread the compost everywhere. What is your opinion?

[@paultsworld]

That is a really good question. I also have a maple tree which often gets powdery mildew towards Autumn. My view is that the safest option is not to compost them. However if the compost heap gets to the needed temperature it will kill all the fungi and diseases - unfortunately I never know how hot my compost gets so I can't take the risk.

[@JS-jl1yj]

That's exactly how I feel about it.

[@Alpha-wr5ft]

Do you add dirt to leaf mold, or do the leaves turn to dirt. The final product that you show has a lot of dirt. What else do you put in your leaf mold other than water ? Please explain so that I can get a better understanding 🙏. Thanks in advance.

[@paultsworld]

Hello, the leaves slowly turn to leaf mold by the action of fungi. The process needs moisture but nothing else. Don’t add anything else at all and it magically becomes a lovely, open, pleasant material. After a few months give it a stir and maybe more water but it isn’t necessary. It looks like dirt but is different and has many uses.

[@Alpha-wr5ft]

@@paultsworld thank you very much. I will start to make my own leaf mold 😇😇😇

[@paultsworld]

Excellent!

[@maxinecorniffe549]

Paul did you chop up your leaves? I just throw my leave in the bag because I don't have anything to chop them up with

[@paultsworld]

Hi Maxine, generally I don’t chop the leaves - just put them in a container, wet them, stir occasionally and they’ll be nice leaf mould by the following Autumn. Chopping them just speeds up the process by a few months.

[@maxinecorniffe549]

@@paultsworld ok thank you

[@الزعيمابوصالحبابالحارة]

ممتاز

[@paultsworld]

Thank you.

[@Sunnahwaalathar]

Why you didn't use bokashi fermenting it's really speeding up the process of composting

[@paultsworld]

That’s a good question. I don’t speed up nature - I collect the leaves in Autumn and by the following Autumn the leaf mould is ready and I empty the containers to then put the next lot of leaves in. Nature only provides leaves on a yearly basis so this system is in line with nature’s way.

[@gloriaruiz2332]

🙏🏻

[@paultsworld]

👍🌻

[@christineborgatti3760]

I collect my neighbors leaves every year with my lawn mower.

[@paultsworld]

Lawn mowers are perfect aren’t they! Both collect and shred in one go. 👍

[@greengarden1041]

💞🇰🇬💫🌝🤗

[@paultsworld]

👍🌻