Episode 679-Free Garden Gold: Leaf Mould, Wood Ash and Autumn Money-Saving Tips, by The veg Grower podcast on YouTube. 28 min 55 s.
- Video length
- 28 min 55 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour to build, 1 to 2 years
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Pick a spot for the bin on soil, not concrete, so worms and fungi can move in from below. A corner of the allotment or behind a shed works well.
Knock four posts into the ground in a square about 1 metre across. Leave the tops level so the wire sits neatly.
Wrap chicken wire around the outside of the posts and fix it with staples or wire ties. Leave the top open for airflow and easy filling.
Collect fallen leaves from your garden or, with permission, from recreation grounds. Skip woodland leaves, which shelter wildlife where they fall.
Fill the bin loosely with leaves. Do not pack them tight, since the heap needs air for slow fungal breakdown.
Leave the heap alone for one to two years. It will shrink a lot as it rots down, so top it up with fresh leaves each autumn.
Check the bottom of the heap after a year. When the material is dark and crumbly, it is ready to use.
Spread the finished leaf mould as a mulch around beds. It adds organic matter, protects the soil surface and helps hold moisture.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not add leaves from diseased trees or evergreens in bulk, as they rot slowly.
Keep the heap damp in dry spells but never waterlogged.
Use leaf mould instead of bought compost where you only need a soil improver, not seed compost.
Questions
How long does leaf mould take to make?
Usually one to two years, depending on the leaf type and weather. Smaller, softer leaves break down faster than thick, leathery ones.
Can I use leaf mould as potting compost?
Not on its own. It is low in nutrients, so use it as a mulch or mix it into soil to improve structure.
Do I need a bin at all?
No. A wire ring or even a heap in a corner works, but a frame keeps leaves tidy and allows airflow.
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.
