Sookhe Patton Ko Feko Mat! Banao 100% Free Organic Leaf Mold, by Plant Care by Hemlata on YouTube. 7 min 12 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 12 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes plus 4 to 8 weeks d
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Collect dry fallen leaves from your yard, park or street. Avoid leaves that are wet, mouldy or mixed with plastic and other trash.
Crush or shred the leaves into smaller pieces by hand or with a stick. Smaller pieces break down much faster.
Set up a drum, bin or thick bag with a lid. Add a thin layer of soil at the bottom to hold moisture.
Mix buttermilk and jaggery in water to make the fast decomposing liquid. Stir until the jaggery dissolves.
Layer the leaves in the container and sprinkle the buttermilk and jaggery mix over each layer. Keep the layers loose, not packed tight.
Check moisture every few days. The pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge, so add water if it dries out.
Turn the pile with a stick once a week to let air in and speed up decomposition.
Wait until the leaves turn dark brown, crumbly and smell like fresh earth. That is your finished leaf mold.
Mix the leaf mold into potting soil or spread a thin layer on top of your pots. A handful per pot is enough.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the lid on but allow some air, because a sealed wet pile starts to smell and attracts insects.
Do not use leaves from diseased plants or freshly cut green leaves, as they decompose slowly and can spread problems.
If the pile smells sour, add more dry leaves and turn it to balance the moisture.
Questions
How long does leaf mold take to be ready?
With the buttermilk and jaggery mix and weekly turning, expect roughly 4 to 8 weeks. Without the mix it can take several months.
Can I use leaf mold for all plants?
Yes, it suits most potted plants and garden beds. Mix it into soil or use it as a top layer, and keep the dose moderate for small pots.
Will the pile attract bugs or smell bad?
A properly moist, aired pile should not smell. Keep it covered, turn it regularly and avoid making it soaking wet to keep insects away.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
