Comments on: Feeding your garden soil: 12 creative ways to use fall leaves

By: Diane

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 11:08:15 +0000

I have a small flock of chickens and I create a compost pile right in their yard: all the coop cleanings and kitchen scraps go there, and in the fall I add as many leaves as I can find (even scouring the neighborhood!). I put a good 6-12” all around their house, and when the snow comes, it stays quite nice, and the snow does not accumulate until we get the huge dumps. And it keeps my chickens scratching and happy. And in the spring I have compost to use in the beds.

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By: Jessica Walliser

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 22:19:16 +0000

In reply to Carolyn Hall.

Yes. Or you can run them over with the lawn mower to shred them or put them into a big bucket/empty trash can and then use a string trimmer to pulverize them. Works like a charm!

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By: Jessica Walliser

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 22:17:11 +0000

In reply to Judi Longstreet.

Sounds like you have a great system in place. I would suggest using grass clippings or plant trimmings (pulled annuals and veggies, etc) as an alternative to the manure. Anything nitrogen-based would work.

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By: Judi Longstreet

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 14:17:40 +0000

I have a question about building compost piles. I build one big one each year in the fall after the leaves have been collected. I use the lasagna method alternating leaves, garden and kitchen waste and manure. Then I just leave it for a year. This year, I don’t have manure available. What can I use as a substitute that will help the composting process.

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By: Carolyn Hall

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 20:09:50 +0000

If one does not have a leaf shredder, can I use the leaves as is (whole)?

Carolyn

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By: Judi

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 19:27:07 +0000

I incorporate my yard leaves into my fall compost pile which I leave for a year. I also collect leaves from wherever I can and use as mulch on both veg and ornamental beds the following year. The value of leaves I learned from Anstace Edmond-White who hosted a gardening program on PBS back in the 80’s and 90’. I was really fortunate to live near her in eastern Ontario. I learned all my gardening basics from her.

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By: M Courtney

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:34:05 +0000

I get leaves from neighbors, but only the ones without yard pets!

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By: Jessica Walliser

Thu, 09 May 2019 23:29:37 +0000

In reply to Mary Ann Younk.

Current research shows that once they’re decomposed, oak leaves neutralize and will not alter the pH of your soil.

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By: Mary Ann Younk

Sun, 28 Apr 2019 19:47:28 +0000

I live in the Northern part of lower Michigan peninsula. Our property is wooded with oaks and we get an abundance of leaves. I was under the impression that oaks are very acidic so haven’t used them for mulch. What is you knowledge on this subject?

Thanks for your advice
Mary Ann Younk

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By: Catriona Tudor Erler

Fri, 20 Oct 2017 22:18:29 +0000

Like the person who contacts local landscapers for leaves, I call local tree trimming companies and ask them to deliver truckloads of shredded bark, dumping it on my driveway. The quality is not as attractive as commercial shredded hardwood bark, but it’s excellent mulch nevertheless, and fine for areas that don’t need to be “perfect” such as woodland gardens and vegetable gardens.

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