How To Make Leaf Mould And Why You Should
Leaf mould is one of the easiest and best free resources a keen gardener can make because it is so versatile. But what is it? Leaf mould is leaves left to rot down slowly over time naturally. Below I want to talk about how to make leaf mould and why you should.
When is the best time to start?
You can start making leaf mould at any time of year, but autumn and winter is the best because trees drop their leaves during the colder months. At this time of year leaves can be found everywhere, including our backyards, local parks, and even street gutters.
Why you should make leaf mould
Leaf mould is excellent because it is such a versatile material. It can be used anywhere compost can be used. You can add it to a compost bin, start seeds in it or use it as a soil improver or mulch. It is also perfect for a homemade potting mix. Add the final product to materials like sand, worm castings, perlite and organic compost. This mixture is perfect for both indoor and outdoor plants.
Check out these other composting articles:
- Why You Need Multiple Composting Systems
- How To Reduce Food Waste By Composting
- How To Revitalise Old Potting Mixes
What leaves can I use?
The best thing about creating leaf mould is you can use any type of leaf. There is a myth that the leaves of some plants, like eucalyptus leaves, can't be composted. This is not true! Composting eucalyptus leaves is harder than other leaves but possible. Eucalyptus leaves also make an excellent leaf mould. It is also possible to use a mixture of different leaves from a variety of sources.
It is important to know that brown, dead and dry leaves are the best leaves to use. Another thing to know is that the smaller the leaves are the faster they will decompose and the sooner you will have the end product. You can speed the process up by breaking your leaves into smaller pieces before you start.
How to make leaf mould
This might sound like a fairly difficult task, but it is actually the opposite. All you need is two ingredients, both of which are readily available, leaves and water. You can start creating this incredible resource with as many or as few leaves as possible and a quick spray of water.
If you have acres of space, just rake all of your leaves into a big pile and wet it.
Another method is to use a wire cage or wooden frame and place all the leaves in the frame and wet. This method suits those with a sizeable yard. Thirdly, use a black plastic garbage bag. Poke a few holes into the bottom of the bag, fill it with the collected leaves and then water it. This method is great for those with very small spaces, like balcony gardeners.
The best part about this type of compost is it needs almost no maintenance. The only maintenance required is collecting the leaves, keeping the pile moist and the occasional turning.
How long does leaf mould take
Leaf mould doesn't happen overnight, you have to be patient. It takes a lot longer to break down than a traditional compost pile, in fact, it can take between 6 and 12 months to complete.
Gardening Australia made an excellent video I highly recommend. This is how I first learned to do it myself. You can check the video out here:
How to make leaf mould
If you're willing to wait, you will be able to reap the benefits of leaf mould. Something as simple as leaves, water and time can create such an excellent and free resource. Until next time, get out there and collect your leaves.