The Clever Way Smart Gardeners Make Amazing Soil

[@izebdeh]

If you get any funny looks while collecting leaves around your neighbourhood. Just pop on a high vis vest. People tend to leaf you alone 😂

[@vivb.7161]

A high vis vest and clipboard will get you into almost everywhere- prepper tip

[@Cici1791]

Awesome tip. I always feel like such a vagabond thief when I'm lifting them from other people's curbs.

[@muyaakindahunsi2465]

Thanks for the Idea.

[@gardennerd1757]

Haa. You and me, both! ...but I wants them! ​@Cici1791

[@46FreddieMercury91]

​@@vivb.7161You've forget to mention 6 others standing around with clipboards, watching you work

[@wenchehaugland9892]

Who woulden`t feel good about gardening after seeing you. Humor and light good mood is exactly what the world needs. Its so down to earth. Thanks for making my day.

[@timothyjohnnolan]

Down to earth, great intended pun!

[@linedezainde]

I tried this last year, and I was blown away by the result! I used bags. Instant compost!

[@tanvigawde1612]

Awesome! I’ll try it this year! Did you use brown paper bags or black plastic bag?

[@Ms_Jetta]

@@tanvigawde1612probably they used the big brown bags that are sold at Walmart, Home Depot, or on Amazon

[@janetpurdie9464]

If ever I'm feeling a bit down, I watch one of your videos. As well as imparting lots of useful information, you really do spark joy!

[@GrowVeg]

That's a joy to read, thank you. :-)

[@sailorgirl2017]

Love to see a grown man playing in the leaves!! Seriously, great tips - especially about the type of leaves. Cheers, from Canada!

[@NoChateau]

A tip for reducing wheelbarrow loading if you have a big space to rake......Put down a blue tarp and rake the leaves on to it. It 'holds' more than a wheelbarrow and you can drag it around, as well as 'unload' it much more easily.

[@thomasrayuk]

Why blue?

[@petergroves9343]

@@thomasrayuk colours are optional 😜

[@cblair8501]

🤣😂😂​@@thomasrayuk

[@anettee.1805]

Great tip

[@moonstone794]

This is what we do! I have my kids help me. I use the leaves all over the yard and then tht rest we spread on the woods behind our house. We have so many trees...literally tarp after tarp full.

[@daryljones7525]

I find watching your videos so endearing, and contrast to many other KZbinrs, you are just as entertaining to watch with the sound off :)

[@thecakeredux]

"Help, I'm trapped" We all saw it coming, he couldn't resist it, and I couldn't have either. Very relatable.

[@GrowVeg]

Haha, cheers so much! :-)

[@mikeoglen6848]

tbh I think he just stepped over it...

[@elloohno1349]

so funny :D

[@januarysdaughter6664]

❤❤ I use leaf mulch every fall. Put it deep on your beds. Separate it in the spring to plant your seeds, keep it there to keep weeds out, by the end of summer its beautiful soil, repeat. ❤❤❤

[@amiehorner5132]

It also helps to insulate those beautiful seeds from the flowers . I love the new seedlings they protect . 🥰🥰🥰

[@a.p.5429]

I pull it off several beds in the spring so the soil warms up to plant seeds then put it back as the weather gets hot. My garden is small though. May be a bit of a nuisance for a large one.

[@ErraticPerfectionist]

​@@a.p.5429 this is a really good idea, regardless of what size garden. Pulling it off and then putting it back when the weather gets hot isn't much different than having to put on straw/sugar cane mulch on in summer which is relatively standard where I am to prevent moisture evaporation. Thanks for the idea!

[@GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn]

I've done the same for over a decade. It's really a great way to save money, build good soil, and close the loop in our own personal ecosystems.

[@nigeldeitch9718]

I pick the leaves up in our garden with the mower set high. It makes life easier and also chops up the leaves. They are then placed in my composter to rot down👍🏻

[@FitFat2054]

How fortuitous and perfectly timed! That's exactly what I was doing this morning! Collection of leaves from a local church garden! Beautiful free resource from nature!

[@carolinewilson97]

So much energy in your videos it's like a tonic watching them. Collecting leaves for leaf mould is one of my favourite jobs. 🍂🍁🍂

[@kayo5291]

The man loves soil, and I love that. 💚💚 Leaf me alone now, I have to go take a wee...

[@ROSIEBGOOD]

😂

[@John-gj9db]

“Gardeners Gold” haha…..absolutely brilliant Ben. Love your positive enthusiastic energy. Why don’t you have you’re own TV program 😊

[@looneygardener]

@@John-gj9db I would think ayoutube channel has more freedom to do what you want, when you want. Like how I make a living tie dyeing in my garage. All about me. Lol

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers so much!

[@holycameltoe124]

Never knew it possible but you’re almost too wholesome. Keep up the good work spreading good vibes and knowledge！

[@kernow9324]

I don't know why your channel was suggested to me, as I don't have a garden, but I'm so glad I watched this video. Every day's a school day! Plus, you rate highly on likeability. Subscribed.

[@GrowVeg]

Thank you so much for your kind comment - and subscribing. A very warm welcome to the channel to you! :-)

[@charlenequinilty7252]

Love composting my leaves and getting free soil in the long run

[@FitzroySymisterArt]

It’s so much fun to watch you and I am learning so much

[@Phraeyah]

Great video! Watching you play in the leaves really made me smile. And thank you so much for another really informative and considerate video. Considering your plastic usage and not using a leaf blower because of the animals, you are so kind and I appreciate your efforts to create a more sustainable environment for us all! ❤ Ben Vanheems for prime minister! 🎉 I'd vote for you!

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow - high praise indeed, thank you! :-)

[@davidrowe8747]

I'm of the same mindset - why not use something that is free? I rake up the leaves on the grass verges in my street and my neighbours think I'm being a good citizen - so, perfect outcome! I don't have room to leave (ha!) leaves lying around in bags or a leaf mould frame, and I found that after two years, the "bin bag" method just left a sludgy mess, even with holes in the bag. Last year and this year, I've shredded the leaves as you have, with the mower, mixed with homemade compost and used the mix to mulch my flower beds - I find that just over the winter months this breaks down by spring. And it helps wildlife.

[@dustyflats3832]

Same. The oak leaves need a good thrashing 😊 and excellent mulch.

[@lafamillecarrington]

I agree about the 'sludge'. One nice big bin is better for leaf mould, wildlife, and the environment.

[@OlExtraRegularBass]

The huge gauntlet gloves, though.

[@nic.h]

@@lafamillecarrington started using my old compost bin for this, seems to be working pretty well. Collected a full bins worth about 6 months ago, last fall for me, and they have decomposed down to about a third of that size. All I've done is chuck a few more in the bin occasionally, turn with a fork briefly guessing every few weeks and add water to keep them moist as the bin lid keeps the rain off. Been seeing quite a few worms when turning it. Next year I'm planning to run them through the mower first to give them a head start and trying turning less to avoid disturbing the worms. But I'm pretty pleased with how the bin worked so far.

[@CBL-if8jr]

In cold winter nights when I wait for sleep I can imagine how the pinkish rainworms enjoy the better, warmer temperatures along with their autumish meal of leaves which I piled up on planting spots to be...... This gives me pleasure - I have always loved the rainworms from childhood days on : They made me giggle when they tried to escape from my hands by 'drilling' between my palm and fingers......

[@rosemiranda7300]

Being in an apartment, I live vicariously by watching marvelous videos such as this. Thank you!😊

[@GrowVeg]

Well it’s really great to have you along. 😀

[@markowa33]

my advise is: try the guerilla gardening

[@philattley9233]

Rats

[@simonm8221]

I wish we had a forum so I could show you what fantastic compost was obtained this year after a 2 year old leaf pile yelded a fantastic result . Thanks to your input 2 years ago!

[@eb1684]

My leaf piles also take 2 years but very satisfying.

[@BonnieKennedy-pj7tn]

I want to start one... but I don't want to wait! Hurry up and wait.😂

[@eb1684]

@@BonnieKennedy-pj7tn Gardening teaches patience.

[@BonnieKennedy-pj7tn]

@@eb1684 truly.

[@gardennerd1757]

Regarding the rake: My tools also seem to have issues surviving the work I put them through. Case in point: my turning fork let loose its tines earlier this Autumn, and I had to scramble to reattach them. Leaves are such a treasure in the garden, and your videos are a treasure all their own. As always, thank you for the fun and informative clip.

[@GuardianPrepping]

I absolutely love how comfortable you are in your own skin, such a wholesome approach to permaculture, I love the rich soil under tree's after they've been left to rest for decades, nothing as visually appealing when it comes to soil as the lush, dark, nutritious gold! Much respect from down here in South Africa, recently planted plenty of canopy trees in my small yard for a food forest. Made sure to plant strategically, thank you for the teaching.

[@Milks808]

Today I spread a generous layer of two year old leafmould over some hepaticas and hellebores ready for some winter colour. I first started bagging leaves three years ago after watching one of your previous videos and I now do it each year with giddy excitement. Thanks Ben 😊

[@anthonyelder7158]

Yup! Wee's in the Leaves! As often as I can! You're a gem. Your videos always lighten the day

[@susie9893]

"Why should wee?"

[@looneygardener]

My neighbours give me their leaves, and i reward them with veggies and preserves. Win win

[@iresineherb7]

Good deal

[@sparkymikey25]

Sounds like your neighbors get the better deal, I'll be moving in soon 😂

[@looneygardener]

@@sparkymikey25 haha maybe so! They rake and bag them for me too. I think it's equal!

[@sparkymikey25]

@@looneygardener maybe but I would rake leaves for veggies and preserves all day!

[@melodyschultz2595]

I do too ! I have a coworker who gladly brings me his leaves , and I rake my neighbors yard of his unwanted pine needles to use to much my blueberry bushes ❤

[@wearethechapmans9612]

My first year adding a layer of my very own home made compost to my raised bed to over winter and a good layer of leafs over the top. Feeling very proud of myself. 😊

[@GrowVeg]

And so you should - nice one! :-)

[@susie9893]

Am very much enjoying your unique combination of positivity and realism

[@smile30981]

I just love your joy as you work in your garden and teach us new tricks! 💚

[@jenniferd1703]

Love your sense of humor 😀😀

[@crazii_fantasii8522]

His dancing in the leaves was very wholesome😄

[@anettee.1805]

And his laying on the earth … oh such a comforting womb Reminds me of myself.

[@rasserfrasser]

Best leaf video I've seen yet, way cool! Thanks!

[@hokyun4469]

I appreciate your blunt honesty about urinating on leaves. Idk if I’ll be doing that but.. That’s a subscription earned.

[@GrowVeg]

Nice one, thank you! And a very warm welcome to the channel to you!

[@lowellmcafee791]

My wife and I collect all our leaves. put them in a barrel or garbage can and shred them with a battery powered Weed eater, separate them in our cut 55 gallon drum halves and let them rot. Note to the wise, wear lung protection while shredding, the dust is incredible. We get all the composted dirt we need from leaves and grass clippings.

[@Taylorsquaredify]

You made my day with this video. My husband and I love you!

[@MyammiRose]

Awesome!!.. I'm going to do this, thanks! 😃😼

[@ChristyBermingham]

Love your passion

[@stephaniehenderson6631]

Great video! I don't mow my leaves, but it takes a bit longer if you don't. Once you are into the process for 3 years or more, it doesn't matter. I also use wee. Geoff Hamilton showed it on Gardeners World many years ago. Geoff Hamilton and Bob Flowerdew were fabulous inspirations ahead of their time. Also a warning to fellow gardeners- the end product has much less volume, less than a quarter and some leaves take much longer than others to break down. It is worth the wait, especially if you are working with very heavy acid clay soil. Last note of thanks to all the worms for their constant hard work and assistance.

[@GrowVeg]

Geoff and Bob are fantastic inspirations - totally agree! :-)

[@brendablack1554]

I enjoyed playing in the leaves 🍁 too! It looks fun!🎉

[@jeremyscott6641]

As a person who lives on a rock farm I have an extreme fascination with dirt 😂, I use a similar technique but turn the leaves into my compost pile with rotated bedding from our ducks.

[@kleineroteHex]

this is your most poetic video I think! Love me some leaves!!!

[@drea4pres970]

I love your content. You’re so positive and uplifting

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

I've been doing good just by placing a moist layer of leaves directly on top of my garden soil, and I top it off with wood chips to hold them in place. I do this in the fall every year and my soil has improved dramatically.

[@vivb.7161]

I collect dry leaves in large collapsible bags for mulch and composting next year- also rest just mow over with lawnmower, great for the grass

[@sonicclang]

Every fall, I'm amazed to see all my neighbors bagging up every last leaf in their yard, only for the city to come along with a big smelly diesel truck and haul them away. I stopped raking well over ten years ago when I realized what a great resource leaves are. Also, considering the fact that top soil everywhere is washing away, it's such a shame people throw out the very thing that can help rebuild it in their yard.

[@GrowVeg]

It's amazing anyone would willing give their leaves away, agreed!

[@isabelladavis1363]

As a practicing gardener I utilize my clients leaves that they want to burn I offer to collect them and remove them only to bring them home to my own garden letting them decompose for the raised beds later layered with grass clippings and kitchen waste..as soon as the leaves are ready here in the Deep South quite hot!!! LAST YEAR USING THIS SOIL AS AN AMENDMENT AND HAD CINTRO THAT WAS ALMOST FOUR FEET TALL AND JUST KEPT GIVING…I do know the garlic loves this once I plant them I use a leaf cover to protect them in the colder months the soil just keeps getting better and better…I use fermented liquid Comfrey as my fertilizer( smells horrible )but the plants thrive with it no more store bought fertilizers and use my egg shells dried then ground into powder as a bone meal nutrient …self sufficiency is what I am striving for …so much we can do with the things nature supplies…thank you for your great channel and stay blessed

[@GrowVeg]

Nature gives us so much to work with, we're very lucky! :-)

[@murineesc]

In the US most people use lawn and leaf bags which are made out of paper! 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Much better idea! :-)

[@FHRider-o1m]

I’ve got a broom like that 😂👍

[@JaneDruce]

Remember though that most leaves should be left on the ground to help pollinators and amphibians that drop from the trees and over winter under the leaves! It also helps your lawn build soil if they aren't too heavy

[@ExcaliburOfYuletide]

@ 6:22

[@TheIdeabaker]

This entertaining and extremely informative lesson just got you a new admirer and subscriber. Thank you!

[@lilirehak5569]

Playing in our leaves in Western North Carolina now also. Fun video!

[@Magushinka]

Thank you. Highly useful and garnished with your gentle sense of humour!

[@nking967]

Love that you look out for the wildlife! ❤ & this video made me laugh too 🙌

[@xenka77]

Thank you so much for this video, I knew about leaf mold and soil making, but you add a number of very interesting points and you say exactly what I think regarding the leaf blowers. Love your energy.

[@pmacc3557]

One of tge best garden video presenters on YT❤

[@marianneeckertjensen4723]

What a nice way to put leaves on the agenda - and who don't like to jump around in the leaves? 🤩

[@Cici1791]

6:57 to 7:03 was epic! Thank you for the priceless barrel of laughs ;-)

[@TheMrWoodsman]

Your a true inspiration for getting out in the garden. Thank you.

[@tuvaaq]

Never had a problem with my rake, it's lasted me 20 years! My old rake has had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time.

[@mickclitheroe5876]

🤣🤣🤣 Trigger off Only Fools and Horses

[@tuvaaq]

@@mickclitheroe5876 hehe couldn't resist aka The Ship of Theseus

[@GrowVeg]

Love it!

[@ScouseFarm]

I get lots of leaves from my massive cherry tree and other trees near my house. My favourite 'freebie' is woodchips. We have a local park with very old trees that often blow down, meaning the park workers have to chip them up. They leave piles of woodchip about to rot down and I simply help myself and fill bags and buckets. My entire garden borders front and back are covered in woodchip each winter as it rots down and improves the soil over time (just don't dig it in, leave it spread thinly on the surface). Thanks for the vid, it's time for another leaf sweeping session 🍁

[@aceofspades5786]

On my second year of this , I just stored them in builders bulk bags and left them all year. 60/70% decomposed so far.

[@FHRider-o1m]

Great idea 👍

[@lisalisa0004]

Was searching leaf mold this morning because ive started a shredded pile in my yard and came across your video. Very informative and entertaining!

[@sonyvaioboy]

I like to use 1T builders bags that you get sand, gravel etc in for storing my leafs. They seem to break down very quickly and makes collection easy as you can drag them around the garden as you collect.

[@sunshinem3958]

I recently raked up 18 55 gallon bages of leaves in my yard and was so so thankful that the amish farm by me lets all of us drop them off at there place, cause regular trash wont take them and i dont want to burn all those leaves, but now next year i will make me us some marsh for my flowers etc thank u

[@ArtFlowersBeeze8815]

Rake onto a tarp. Drag tarp to your spot. My friends mower mulch their leaves into the lawn. (really nice lawn btw). I use leaves that I shred with a wood chipper (lawn mower works too) to spread over my garden beds...about 3 inches. No weeding in spring . May get some tree seedlings sprout. I use alfalfa pellets to rake into the top 2 inches of soil to pre fertilize and helps break down these leaves further. Another friend likes to till leaves into his soil. Cheers as always!

[@GrowVeg]

I should definitely make better use of a tarp - great idea!

[@ArtFlowersBeeze8815]

@@GrowVeg Thanks! I used to work in landscaping. When you had tons of properties to clean up, it saved time. I was especially fond of that machine that sucked up the leaves by a massive tube and mulcher and blew it directly into a truck. Alas days gone by, I'm back to using a tarp. lol

[@noneshere]

Alfalfa pellets are awesome garden fertilizer and they smell good too. We also use alfalfa for inoculating charcoal powder made strictly from yearly wood droppings. Just make a 20 gallon tea with the pellets in a tub then pour the powder in to soak for a week or two. To ammend the topsoil you just scoop the runny oatmeal mix out with a kitchen pot and cover the surface about 3/8 thick. Let it dry 2-3 days then work the topsoil fingers deep in your next weeding. You must work the amendment into the soil or it will start to mold by weeks end. If digging it root deep in the soil just flip the tub over and let it mound dry for a week. It helps to spread it out but when it's dry enough to feel like potting soil it's ready to be applied. Alfalfa is perfect natural garden fertilizer. It has naturally low but balanced npk levels and won't burn even sensitive plants. It smells outrageously awesome as well. The whole garden will smell like fresh cut alfalfa .

[@minnie8781]

I was chuckling at the sight of you running n twirling through the pile of leaves!

[@roper31589]

Looking forward to weeing on my leaves!😂. Hope my neighbors see. 😊 Great idea never knew this was helpful but it makes sense. Thank you!😊

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

Great information. Thanks for sharing.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150-b9t]

I've been doing this in a spare flowerbed that doesn't get enough sunlight and only has a few shrubs. I chop up the leaves with a lawnmower, then continuously dump (homemade nitrogen fertilizer) on it over the winter. Without any tilling, it turns into black compost in about 9 months.

[@donnat9951]

You are fun to watch. You show and explained. Thank you!

[@MBEspinosa]

It's spring here. We have summer ahead of us before the autumn leaves cover everything... I like to see the progress and think of ways to set up my garden...Thanks!

[@ArmyVetlady-m6k]

You cracked me up at the end! 😅😂 I love your videos, so positive and witty! I’m getting excited because the leaves has just started dropping in my backyard. I told my husband I need him to mow over them in the bag to create shredded leaves. Will also use some as mulch for my carrots, garlic and tulip bulbs to overwinter. Greetings 👋🏽 from New York, USA 🇺🇸! 😀

[@bronwynthomas4503]

I love how passionate you are,! i am a gardener in a historic house and my passion is in the territory similar to yourself, my volunteers and locals think your mad how much energy you put into explaining soil health. locally i am known for my perennial veg as i grow lots of native weeds in a veg bed i was seen the other day digging up dandelions for brewing :)

[@GrowVeg]

Man after my own heart digging up those dandelions to use them - great job! :-)

[@sabosayalot9703]

I really liked the idea of the leave cage and it seemed so easy to build! Thanks!

[@valoriegriego5212]

Howdy, Ben and oh so cute Rosie!👋 I enjoy making leaf mold. I make it on a 13 gallon black trashcan. I layer the leaves with coffee grounds and find in our Texas heat I get usable leaf mold in under a year.💕

[@GrowVeg]

Oh wow, that sounds like a great method you have there Valorie. :-)

[@bjshelley4756]

Marvelous video, Benedict! I just happened to click on KZbin and there you were! I'm going to share it with lots of folks. I've been getting leaves from my neighbors. They usually send them away with the yard debris hauler.

[@GrowVeg]

Betty! What an absolute treat to hear from you! It would be great to catch up at some point. Really fab that you're able to get leaves fro your neighbors - everyone's a winner that way! :-)

[@airpressure08]

I don't even have a need for soil but I loved your enthusiasm and watched till the end. Good stuff!

[@christineborgatti3760]

I've been so wanting to try and adding some wee. I'll do it!

[@vivb.7161]

If adding directly to plants, dilute first- 10 parts water 1 part urine.

[@vivb.7161]

Also don't use your urine if you take rx meds

[@petergroves9343]

Works wonders with Tomatoes too Approx one bladder to a 5 litre (one gallon) watering can, worked for my Grandad & Dad, I'm keeping the tradition flowing, so to speak 🙃🙃

[@myriammadigan9966]

Great tips Ben, thank you and I love the dance🙂

[@lindasands1433]

I loved it! Especially the wee part 😂

[@charlottescott7150]

Leafmould is my favourite home made soil conditioner. I will add some grass clippings this year- thanks for that tip!

[@RickWeberEcon]

3:56 I save time on that by doing my business in tree canopies year round!

[@SCWatches]

Great help. Love making compost heaps. I find little worms under rotting wood and add those in their soil in layers which I believe helps to get the waste break down more quickly. Avoiding any sticks or hard stems: roses, fruit canes as they do not break down and make handling the compost a literal pain.

[@MANNY100123]

Thank you! There aren't many trees on my yard except for a really big one in the front and my little maple tree I grew from seed! I won't get much leaves from it but we'll see! xD

[@deeprose115]

Two years to rot down? Never knew that. You're always full of useful information .

[@patstephenso7206]

Thank you ben 🎉🎉

[@romanbrough]

I have been collecting mostly from our nearby pavements. Mostly outside a bog school. Oak, Sycamore and Beech with a few others including some pine needles.i also collect some, well rotted from local woods, using the same green garden sack. As I was chatting with a neighbour even older than me, he said I was very welcome 😁 to collect those covering his drive. So one more bag and a ten minute chat. I also use urine as well as ground egg shells. I did collect over lockdown and it's wonderful dark rich soil. So great soil, and excellent daily exercise.

[@radharcanna]

A very informative and hugely entertaining video. Thank you Ben.

[@Zerzayar]

Hearing you talk so poetically about leafs is making me happy.

[@jonathanhinkel8813]

Love the comments about how to enrich the compost. Using urine, while most people may find it disgusting, is actually a wonderful source of nitrogen. Through the process of ammonia being converted into urea and deamination removing the amino group produces nitrogen. The N in the NPK rating on fertilizers. Biological chemistry is such a fascinating thing.

[@alisonrecon2249]

Absolutely fun to watch . Thank you .I compost my rabbits hutch in composter and bags so it does make lovely soil. Gonna have fun with my leaves now 🎉🎉❤❤

[@RawLondonGardener]

Free stuff, can't go wrong, turns to pure black nutritious soil 👍👍👍📷📷📷

[@jonathanc2757]

love the idea, so smart, Greetings from Nashville

[@Mountainlover390]

Beautiful and informative video👌👌

[@WeatherNut27]

Great video. I love composting. I call it Black Gold. Little tip for rake... Slide a 1" pvc conduit and screw it to wooden rake

[@toniedalton5448]

I like the idea of the bags so we I don't really have time for the bin. I have feed sacks I can use and afterwards I burn them when I have brush piles to burn. And I always have plenty of those. Nice video production btw. Have a blessed one all

[@grannyfisher3863]

Thanks for the good info!

[@GmamaGrowz]

Thanks for sharing your experience with leaf mold 🍂!

[@sigmundblank7403]

Raking also aerates the top 1/4 inch of the soil/ lawn.stands up the grass blades and improve the appearance.

[@gardentours]

I'm also continuously collecting leaves at this time of the year. The more the better 🍂🍁🍂🍁🍂🌝

[@bluebutterflywellness2273]

Enthusiastic growers with łots of trees get excited by this! My third season piling them in garbage bags to ultimately get black gold! GREAT idea with the burlap, which I also have. Will try this year. 👍🏽💃🏽🤸🏾‍♀️💃🏽