Last Updated on April 8, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Leaf Mould is what you get when your leaves rot down over time. It has many purposes for your garden, it can be used as mulch, soil conditioner, potting mix or seed compost. It has the right qualities that can improve your soil structure and boost water retention, so this blog will show you how to make leaf mould right in your garden.
How to Make Leaf Mould at Home?
Piles of leaves are broken down by fungi, making them soften. It takes a long time to get your leaves usable in the garden, it takes a year or two.
How do you make leaf mould faster?
You can simply add leaves in your compost bins, however, there might be an abundance of them in a long run. It isn’t taxing to create your leaf mold since you only need to leave them in a pile for a long time. You don’t need to do anything else.
What Leaves Do you Use for Leaf Mould?
Sourcing for leaves from public places can be an option, but make sure to avoid those leaves in busy roadsides that may consist of pollutants. It’s best to use a rake rather than leaf blowers if you’re planning to take them from public spaces. If it’s in your own lawn you can consider using a rotary mower. The best leaves that you can get the best quality leaf mold are from oak, beech, and hornbeam trees. Meanwhile, chestnut, walnut, and sycamore tree provide leaves that take a long time to break down. There are also evergreen leaves that would take too long to wait for and are best shredded before adding in a compost heap. The Pine tree needles give acidic leaf mold, best for creating an ericaceous bed for acid-loving plants.
Steps to Make Leaf Mould
The Easy Option
Construct a wireframe using chicken wire to protect the pile of leaves against weather conditions. Make sure to add water if your leaves start to look dry and cover with a tarpaulin to keep them moist.
The Easier Option
Filling a bin bag to three-quarters full and tie the bag shut. Puncture holes on the bottom and sides and put the bag to a location that isn’t in the way. Leave the bag alone for a year or two.
Accelerate the Moulding Organically
There are leaf mold accelerators in the market that you can buy. However, your urine can be a money saver. Apply fresh urine to make the process quicker.
How do I Use the Leaf Mould in my Garden?
Leaf Mold is good enough to use once you can crumble the leaf mold by hand after a year of letting it be. Add the Leaf Mold as mulch on your existing crops and fruit bushes. Make sure to dig it in to improve your soil condition or you can leave it on top over the winter and let the earthworms do the job for you.
Leaf Mold that was let alone for longer years creates a finer texture. These are the kind of leaf molds that you can use for seed sowing. Make sure to mix it with equal parts garden compost, sharp sand, and good-quality garden soil for your own potting compost.
