Dry Leaves

Leaves, an easily available material, are good for mulching. Though leaves are good for protecting dormant plants during winter by keeping them warm and dry but due to lightweight they may be blown away even by light wind. To counter this problem, it requires anchoring which can be done with stones, chipped bark and covering with net or some form of sheet.

Dead leaves make an excellent mulch for your garden or yard. Mulch helps slow weed growth in spring, and offers a layer of protection for perennial plants. If you live in an area that does not face severe winters, laying thick mulch around garden plants may help extend their productivity, especially with those partial to cool temperatures such as kale, salad greens, Brussels sprouts, potatoes and onions. The key to successfully using leaves as mulch is in grinding or shredding them. Pack a thick layer of mulch over garden plants, and spread up to 3/4-inch over your entire yard.

Procedure:

• Collect leaves in the fall.
• Chop with a lawnmower or shredder. Whole leaves tend to compact if wet or blow away if dry. Chopping will reduce the volume and facilitate composting.

• Compost leaves over winter. Some studies have indicated that freshly chopped leaves may inhibit the growth of certain crops. Therefore, it may be advisable to compost the leaves over winter before spreading them.