This is best done when it’s dry, or else they’re likely to cling onto the blade. You can also use a mulching mower to chop up a thin layer to be left on your lawn as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. A light layer of small, thin leaves applied without first being shredded is fine, but for the most part shredding is important. So exactly how is leaf mulch good for plants? Leaves As Mulch Good Or Bad. The tree leaves that accumulate in and around your landscape represent a valuable natural resource that can be used to provide a good source of organic matter and nutrients for use in your landscape. One way is to place the leaves into a bin and use a string trimmer to grind them down, or you could collect them up by going over them with a lawnmower. Adding too thick of a layer of leaves can block air and water from penetrating the ground. The benefits of leaf litter mulch are abundant: Applying leaf mulch buffers soil temperatures to keep soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, thereby protecting plants. While keeping the weeds at bay, leaf mold is also busy at work protecting plants by safeguarding soil temperatures due to their insulating properties, meaning warmer soil in the winter and cooler soil in the summer. Leaf mold and compost contribute significantly to our gardens in their own way. Now i just mulch them in place. We spoke about earthworms previously. All other affiliate links on this site use VigLink. Let me ask you a question. While a mulching mower or mulching blades aren't essential, they provide better results by circulating pieces under the deck for multiple cuts, which creates a finer material that decomposes faster. If this bothers you simply pull the mulch away from the plant crowns in early spring for faster growth. You can, but if you’re going to, then make sure you only use a thin layer as rain and air would struggle to get through otherwise. The … Fallen leaves are great for using as natural mulch. Poor quality leafmould, or leafmould that is less than two years old can be used as mulch, soil improver, autumn top-dressing for lawns, or winter covering for bare soil. Thick layers of leaves can also do the exact opposite—locking in too much moisture, potentially damaging the plants that need well-drained soil or are susceptible to rot and other fungal diseases. Peruse through step-by-step instructions for various garden projects in the Horticulture Smart Gardening Techniques: Garden Projects. nutans) and bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum). Leaf mulch is pretty good stuff. While mulch around the foundation of your home may look appealing, giving it a well-groomed appearance, it can cause some unexpected problems if not done with the proper care. Mounting Phalaenopsis on Driftwood – Mounting Orchids on Wood. Your local taxes pay for trucks to sweep up your leaves or pick up your leaf bags, all of which often end up in landfills. There are leaves you want to avoid. Yes, leaving fallen leaves to decompose does return valuable nutrients to the soil, provides habitat for lots of important and valuable insect species over winter, and acts as a natural mulch. Horticulture Smart Gardening Techniques: Preparing for Winter. You’ll also find you no longer have to fertilize your garden so often as your soil fertility will improve considerably as the leaves begin to decompose. It improves soil fertility as it decomposes, which reduces the need for fertilizing. It's a good idea to mulch the leaves before using them for compost, in order to speed up the decomposition process and save space for more material. Some gardeners will collect the leaves and place them around their plants as a form of mulch. The only drawback is that faster decomposition means … Mayer offers two … Leaf Mulching: A Better Use of Resources When you rake up your leaves, it costs you. Discussion in 'Planting, growing, nurturing Plants' started by Yukkuri_Kame, Jan 8, 2012. Ground cover mulch with fines create ideal conditions for disease to live and prosper around the crown of the plant, often causing, or enhancing root rot diseases in many plant varieties. How to Mulch Flower Beds. Because the leaves help retain the moisture in the soil, it means less irrigation is needed. The main reason for placing mulch is its ability to hold in moisture and insulate against colder temperatures. These natural materials are attractive to insects, for one thing. The Bad of Mulch (disadvantages of mulch) LATER BLOOM TIMES. It’s quite apparent now that yes, leaves certainly are good for a garden, but there are still a few questions to be answered like, are fallen leaves good for the garden? © 2020 Active Interest Media All rights reserved. Their research also suggests mulched leaves can reduce dandelions. A study by Michigan State University indicates that mulching is 100% beneficial for the lawn. You can leave the foliage where it falls on your lawn for a … Horticulture Smart Gardening Techniques: Garden Projects. A far better solution would be to use shredded leaves as it would be relatively easy for rain and air to pass through into the soil. Setting up a temporary holding bin for composting leaves using stakes and plastic fencing takes about ten minutes, and some kind of enclosure is required to keep the leaves from blowing about. Is Using Leaves as Mulch Good or Bad? 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