Hey everyone! I really appreciate this community; it feels like one of the last good places on Reddit. I wanted to ask if anyone has tried using leaf mulch for gardening? I have about 8 acres mostly wooded and I've tilled up around 14,000 square feet for a garden. Instead of tilling, I'm thinking of using leaf litter to cover the garden. Any suggestions or experiences with that?
3 Answers
Once I got a bagger for my riding mower, collecting fall leaves became a highlight of the season! Leaf mulch is fantastic for the garden. In the past, I used the string trimmer with a trash can method to chop them up, but it's pretty time-consuming. Just using a good layer of leaves works wonders!
Leaf mulch is such a great free resource! It's a natural weed suppressant and contributes to soil health. It's awesome to think you can use what trees drop for us to help our gardens grow!
Applying a heavy layer of leaves before planting really is a game changer. It suppresses weeds effectively and breaks down into nutrient-rich humus. If you're using it to mulch between plants, though, make sure to chop the leaves. Bigger leaves can mat down, which might keep the soil too dry for your plants.
Exactly! And I use generic grass clippings around my raspberry canes to keep weeds at bay.