How to Make Leaf Mold (Free Soil From Fall Leaves), by EverYield Garden on YouTube. 23 min 42 s.
- Video length
- 23 min 42 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes plus 6 to 12 months
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Rake your leaves into a pile while they are dry. Skip leaves from diseased trees or heavily trafficked streets, and keep them separate from the rest.
Shred the leaves by running a mower over them or passing them through a shredder. Smaller pieces break down much faster than whole leaves.
Make a simple bin from wire mesh bent into a circle about 3 feet across. Hold it in place with a few stakes pushed into the ground.
Fill the bin with the shredded leaves and press them down. Pile them loosely so air can still move through the heap.
Water the pile until it is damp like a wrung-out sponge. Cover it with a tarp or old cardboard to hold the moisture in.
Turn the leaves every few weeks with a fork to add air. Speed things up by mixing in a handful of garden soil or finished compost.
Check the leaves after six months. Leaf mold is ready when it is soft, crumbly and smells like forest soil, which can take up to a year.
Dig the finished leaf mold into beds as a soil improver, or sieve it and mix it half and half with compost for a free seed starting mix.
Tips and common mistakes
Whole leaves can take two years to rot, so shred them first if you want results in one season.
If you have no space for a bin, stuff wet leaves into bin bags, punch a few holes and tie them shut.
Keep the pile damp but not soggy, since dry leaves stall and soaking wet leaves turn slimy.
Wear gloves when handling wire mesh, as the cut ends are sharp.
Questions
How long does it take to make leaf mold?
Shredded leaves in a wire bin usually break down in 6 to 12 months. Whole leaves left in bags can take up to two years.
Can I use leaf mold as compost?
Leaf mold is a soil conditioner rather than a full fertilizer. Dig it into beds to improve structure, or mix it with compost for potting and seed starting.
Which leaves should I avoid?
Skip leaves from diseased trees and keep walnut leaves out of beds you plan to plant soon. Oak and beech leaves are fine but break down slowly.
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.
