Got Leaves? Put 'Em to Work

[WVsnowflake]

'Tis the season for harvesting leaves, the most abundant free source of organic matter available to most gardeners. Microorganisms in soil and compost transform leaves into bits of organic matter, which helps the soil retain nutrients and moisture. By themselves, leaves contain small amounts of 16 plant nutrients.

You can stockpile leaves in a bin or pen to use later as compost or mulch, but you don't have to wait until leaves decompose to put them to work. With some shredding assistance from your lawn mower, you can give your leaves useful jobs right now.

www.motherearthnews.com/Grow-It/Harvesting-Leaves-For-Mulch-And-Compost.aspx?blogid=1502

[famfish]

I always use leaves. Put your leaves in a plactic bag and add a shovel of dirt or compos and in the spring the worms and creatures will make those leaves into something like a compost depending on the winter temperature. Also to move the leaves just lay down a 12 by 12 tarp and rake tem on the tarp and drag 10 bushel a a time o a new spot or fenced in area!

[WVsnowflake]

I never could understand the people who bagg them up to send to the garbage dumps....

[famfish]

I can't understand those who burn them. So many uses for leaves to put around the perinnial flowers to stop the bulbs from maybe freezing for the next year .Put them in a pile for a shelter for wild animals like rabbits or even cats . Best of all make a ice compost o give the best dirt in the sprin for flowers and the garden. A pile of leaves gives some nice worms in the spring for fishing!

[Sinker]

I installed a water line a little to shallow an its subject ta freezin if it gits cold enuff. I aim ta rake bouta foota leaves on top of't an roll some old chicken wire over that ta hold em there. Insulation all winter that has a head start on compost fer th garden or a new worm bed.

[WVsnowflake]

Might just work Sinker.... We just burried our line and hopin we got it deep enough... Gonna start me a compost pile too, but dag gum it I have a list of things to do a mile long, and not enough hours in the day!!!