I have written before about how I make leaf mold in my garden. But today, I thought it would be useful to share how I use the leaf mold that I make since I have been asked about this a few times recently. I know that many are interested in making leaf mold but don't fully understand how it can be used.
Simply put, leaf mold is a valuable soil conditioner that can be made by leaving leaves to decompose into a crumbly, friable mulch or potting ingredient.
I find that leaf mold is most useful in two main ways: as a soil amender or mulch and as a material for homemade potting mixes. These are my favorite ways to use leaf mold and return the nutrients it contains to my garden.
The first way in which I use my homemade leaf mold is as organic matter to improve the soil or build healthy soil in growing areas. As a type of partially decomposed organic matter, leaf mold is akin to compost, though not precisely the same.
During the leaf-mold-making process, after around a year, the leaves will have broken down into a crumbly material that I like to use as a mulch around trees and shrubs. The following year, I use it as a finer and less bitty mulch that is good for seedlings and tender young plants in my vegetable garden.
Leaf mold and compost are similar, but leaf mold is made only with leaves and is broken down by fungus instead of bacteria. Compost is great for getting rid of various matter, but leaf mold is easier to make.
Leaf mold can be incredibly useful as an upper layer in a lasagna bed, hugelkultur bed, or mound—or in an area that has been sheet mulched for planting. Its texture and consistency mean that it can create a good plantable or sowable surface for plants or seeds.
Leaf mold used to top dress an area of a
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