I'm new to the East Coast and I'm drowning in leaves! I know leaving them all on the ground isn't an option since it creates a thick, impenetrable layer. I've heard that mulching leaves helps them break down and can actually improve the soil. I have a big, heavy lawn mower but can't manage to get it to the pile on my own. I've been looking at leaf vacuums with built-in mulchers online. Has anyone had experience with those? Are they worth the investment? Is it better to keep leaf mulch on the ground or should I just throw the leaves away?
5 Answers
Honestly, I’ve read that it’s better for nature to leave the leaves where they fall. They provide habitat and nutrients, so consider that too!
I just toss my leaves into the garden beds. It's super easy and I find they break down naturally, feeding the soil over time.
Definitely worth it! I mix mulched leaves into my compost - I use a ratio of 2 parts compost to 1 part leaves. We even keep some over winter in a big garbage can for later use.
I usually chop mine up with a lawn mower before bagging them to clean up. I use the shredded leaves as mulch around my vegetable garden and perennials, and it works great!
I have a mulching lawn mower that I use every autumn for leaves. It can be a bit of work, but I try to do it every few days as the leaves fall rather than waiting for a huge pile. If you have a big volume, you might want to bag some for composting or just mix them in with your garden.