Have you heard Farmer Debs on the KUNR radio station recently? If not, here is one of her segments all about fall leaves:
It’s that time of year. The leaves are falling and crunching underneath our feet. Ah, the sound of autumn. You might think it's time to rake em' up, and toss em' out, but don’t. Here at the farm we love to encourage regenerative practices wherever we can. Here are a few things you can do to 'leaf' your garden thriving come spring.
First, Compost. Leaves are an excellent addition to your compost pile. They provide a source of carbon, which is essential for creating a balanced compost mixture. When you add leaves to your compost, make sure to shred or chop them into smaller pieces, so they break down faster. Mix them with your kitchen scraps and other green materials like grass clippings.
Second, Leaf mold. Leaf mold is a fantastic soil conditioner. It's essentially decomposed leaves that have turned into a dark, crumbly material. To create leaf mold, collect your fallen leaves and place them in a dedicated pile or bin. Unlike compost, you don't need to add green materials or turn the pile regularly. Leaf mold forms over a longer period, usually taking a year or more to fully break down. Once it's ready, you can use leaf mold to improve the structure and water-retention capacity of your soil.
Finally, Mulch. Use them whole, or use the leaf mold. Leaf mold can be used as a mulch, just like whole leaves. Spread a layer of it around your trees, shrubs, and garden beds to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Remember that it's essential to avoid using leaves from trees or plants that are diseased or have been treated with pesticides, as these can introduce problems into your garden.
For more ways to strengthen your green thumb, visit us online at urgc.org For KUNR, I’m Farmer Debs with Urban Roots.
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