Instead of carting leaves to the curb, recycle them the way nature does, by turning them into an invaluable soil builder. Leaf mold greatly improves the structure and water-holding capacity of soil. It also creates the perfect conditions for the community of beneficial organisms that dwell in your soil, and it’s great in potting mix.
There’s really no excuse not to make leaf mold. It’s free, easy-to-make, and readily available. If you don’t have enough leaves in your own yard, trade raking duty with your neighbors in exchange for theirs. Before you use leaves that have fallen on your neighbors’ lawns, be sure to ask them if the grass has recently been sprayed with synthetic chemicals. If so, don’t use the leaves……….
DO-IT-YOURSELF LEAF MOLD
Making leaf mold couldn’t be easier. Start by ensuring that the leaves are thoroughly moistened, says Abigail Maynard, Ph.D., of the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station. Dehydrated leaves begin to lose nitrogen, and this hinders the decomposition process. ………
…………
USING LEAF MOLD
Now, here’s how to use this nutrient-rich soil conditioner.
Peat Substitute
Use leaf mold in place of peat because it has similar qualities and it’s a renewable resource.……….
Soil Conditioner
It’s easier for roots to penetrate soil and take up nutrients when the soil is not as dense. Dr. Maynard and her colleagues in Connecticut completed a 12-year study on the role leaf mold plays in changing soil characteristics. They found that garden soil amended with leaf mold had a 20 percent lower bulk density than soil to which leaf mold was not added.
Related Article That May Be Of Interest To You:
- Video – Best Kept Weed Fighting Strategies Revealed
- Garbage Gardening: Enjoy Having Fun With Leftovers
- Permaculture: How To Do Gardening Nature’s Way
Read the full article here: Click Here
Article source: Rodale’s Organic Life
Image source: Organic Farming Blog