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Leaf mulch?

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karslinky blog photos
Joined: 8/28/2004
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1197
Posted: Nov/14/2005 5:43 PM PST

Watching a local news channel (24/7) some local gardener said not to rake leaves - that it becomes a natural lawn compost - I've always worried that too heavy a leaf burden would smother the grass...Any comments? Also, I have a leaf mulcher - what if I chop the fallen leaves and THEN spread it around my lawn and gardens???
sweetlebee blog photos
Joined: 5/09/2005
Location:
Posts: 19587
Posted: Nov/14/2005 5:48 PM PST

You do have to rake them off your lawn. Chop them up with your mower and spread them on your garden beds.
jbb2388
Joined: 7/28/2003
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 265
Posted: Nov/14/2005 7:07 PM PST

You should mulch-mow them. If you can't do that you should rake and shred them. They add lots or organic material to your soil. Or you could mow and bag them and make a compost pile with them.
prettylady
Joined: 1/24/2005
Location: Calhoun, KY
Posts: 1942
Posted: Nov/14/2005 7:32 PM PST

I know that the leaves are good for the yard but leaves are the only mulch that I usually use on all of my beds-hubby has mulching mower and he has bagger on mower--I empty all the leaves on beds and spread out about 4" thick. Seems they love it!

Peggy
Jules photos
Joined: 5/14/2002
Location:
Posts: 1093
Posted: Nov/14/2005 8:30 PM PST

Make sure there aren't any oak leaves laying around though as they do not decompose and can smother what they are laying on top of.
Mainegal
Joined: 3/30/2002
Location: Southern Maine Zone4/5
Posts: 2550
Posted: Nov/14/2005 8:53 PM PST

i was always told not to puit whole leaves ont he garden for mulch, to shred them first.... confused!!!
Laine713
Joined: 2/05/2003
Location: Mid-Atlantic Region
Posts: 93
Posted: Nov/14/2005 11:42 PM PST

Quote:
Originally posted by Jules
Make sure there aren't any oak leaves laying around though as they do not decompose and can smother what they are laying on top of.


I am not an expert, but I only use oak leaves and they decompose nicely and unless I put a very thick layer of leaves, either whole or shredded, do not smother my plants.
Jules photos
Joined: 5/14/2002
Location:
Posts: 1093
Posted: Nov/15/2005 1:05 AM PST

So Ron - I gather I can use our oak leaves in place of pine needles around my rhodos and azaleas? I know that if I do not pick them up, they are still there in the spring all in one piece - boy they are thick leaves and in fact, some of them are still on the tree come spring
karslinky blog photos
Joined: 8/28/2004
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1197
Posted: Nov/15/2005 4:31 PM PST

Wow, such good advice - if I like the look I just may never buy cedar mulch in the spring again! Ron - love your animation icon!
Laine713
Joined: 2/05/2003
Location: Mid-Atlantic Region
Posts: 93
Posted: Nov/15/2005 6:47 PM PST

I use purchased mulch for my front yard for appearances during the growing season. But in the winter, all you will see is shredded leaves topped with straw in both the front and back yards.
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