Leaf Mold Compost
The next time you have your leaves in pile, before you bag them up, consider recycling them the way nature
does by turning them into a soil builder like Leaf Mold.
When leaf mold compost gets introduced to soil, it holds water better and has better soil structure.
The micro-organisms in soil thrive in leaf composted soil.
Using leaf compost as a quick and easy compost replacement is free, it's easy to make, and available right in you front lawn.
Don't use leaves that have been swept into the street for your compost substitute. They will contain contaminant like grit and chemicals.
Making leaf compost is a breeze as well. Rake your leaves into a pile, run them over with a lawn mower to make smaller easier to decompose
pieces, and wet the pile. You can use the compost method of turning as well.
Uses for leaf mold compost
- Use leaf compost in place of peat because it has similar qualities and is renewable.
- Leaf compost holds up to 500 times its weight in water. Put it around (not touching) the crowns of garden plants and vegetables to help them keep their moisture up during summer months.
- Mix it in with soil to lower the density so that plants will have better root penetration.
- Leaf compost increasea the water holding capacity of soil. The added leaf mold compost increases water storage ability so well that the soil alone could retain 10 days of water for vegetables. (note, seeds do not need this much moisture and will rot. Overplant or regulate the exposure of the soil to water)