Leaf Mold: Overlooked Resource for Mulching and Organic Nutrients

When fall rolls around and you see your neighbor bagging up his leaves to throw away in a landfill, realize that he is throwing away a valuable resource. As an organic gardener, I am always looking for free fertilizer and soil conditioners.

Although leaves aren't high in nitrogen and other macronutrients, they work very well as a soil conditioner. When leaves are allowed to decay they produce a brown, crumbly compost that acts as a bulking and fibrous agent in the soil.

Leaves can be stored in a wire bin and be allowed to slowly break down over a period of about 18 months or they can act as a mulch in the garden. If you don't want to wait 18 months then add some grass clippings to the leaves and this will expedite the breakdown process.

When used as a mulch in your garden, the rotting leaves attract earthworms. When the earthworms eat the decaying underside of the leaves they hasten the decomposition process.

Anything that attracts worms to the garden is a plus as earthworms are an important part of the garden biota as they provide tunnels that allow air and water to reach the root zone of plants more effectively.

The organic gardener should always be thinking of ways to recycle all organic materials. Most people hate to rake leaves and pull weeds and see this as a nuisance. I see leaves and weeds as a free and valuable resource to be exploited.