Why do leaves and a bag mean compost?
The answer is Leaf mold, your free and easy way to create a great compost for your garden. Follow Chopwell’s simple steps to make your own leaf mold
- Rake up dead leaves from your garden
- Put the leaves in a plastic bag or spare compost bin
- Tie up the bag or cover the compost bin to stop the leaves blowing away
- If using a bag, punch some air holes in it
- Put somewhere out of the way and wait 12- 18 months
One year on
Open the bags and the leaves will have transformed into a lovely leaf mold compost that you can use for sowing seeds or spreading on your garden.
Leaf mold is a great structure and will help aerate soil, perfect for our Warwickshire clay. It is not too high in nutrients which is just right for seeds to germinate. It does mean that if you want to use it to plant up pots you will need to add nutrients or mix with a compost to increase the fertility of the medium so the plants can flourish.
Leaf mold versus compost
Leaves break down slower than other plant and organic material you might put in a compost bin. Many of our clients prefer to make leaf mold than compost as leaves do not attract any unwanted wildlife, and there is minimal effort required.
Compost combines varying plant materials and makes a richer, more nutrient dense growing medium.
It is good practice to rake leaves off grass, paths, and patios to stop the grass dying and to minimise the risk of slipping on hard surfaces, so rather than waste the effort of picking up your leaves, making leaf mold recycles your leaves into something useful!
Looking for more seasonal gardening tips and hints? Read our previous articles
