The Clever Way Gardeners Make Soil from Leaves, by GrowVeg on YouTube. 15 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 15 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour to set up, then 6 to 18
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Collect fallen leaves while they are dry. Rake them into piles from lawns, paths and borders, and avoid leaves that are soaking wet or mixed with lots of twigs and rubbish.
Sort your leaves by type. Thin, quick-rotting leaves like oak and beech break down faster, while thick leaves like sycamore and horse chestnut take much longer.
Shred the leaves to speed things up. Run a lawn mower over them a few times, or chop them with a spade, so the pieces are smaller and rot faster.
Choose a container. A wire mesh frame, a wooden bin with open slats or a large sturdy sack all work, as long as air can get in and rain can drain away.
Fill the container loosely with leaves. Do not pack them down hard, because the heap needs air to break down properly.
Water the leaves if they are dry. Damp leaves rot faster, but avoid making the heap soggy and waterlogged.
Leave the heap to break down. Check it every few months, turn it with a fork to add air, and add water if it dries out.
Use the leaf mould when it turns dark, crumbly and earthy. Thin leaves may take about a year, and thicker leaves can take two years or more.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not add leaves to your normal compost heap in thick layers, because they break down slowly and can smother the faster composting material.
Keep the heap damp but not soaked, since dry leaves stall and waterlogged leaves rot without air.
Shredding leaves is the single easiest way to cut the maturing time, so mow over them before bagging.
Leaf mould is low in nutrients, so use it as a soil conditioner and mulch rather than a fertiliser.
Questions
Can I make leaf mould in bin bags?
Yes. Fill strong bags with damp leaves, punch a few holes for air, tie the tops and store them out of the way. Check them every few months and use the mould when it is crumbly.
How long does leaf mould take to be ready?
Thin leaves like oak and beech can be ready in about a year. Thick, leathery leaves may need two years or more, so be patient and keep the heap damp.
Can I use leaves from any tree?
Most leaves are fine, but avoid leaves from diseased trees and keep out thorny prunings. Evergreen leaves like pine needles rot very slowly and are better used as a separate mulch.
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.
