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In the autumn there is a lot of clearing to be done in the garden and a lot of this is leaves which need to be raked from the lawn. Not raking them up means that microclimates persist which allow fungi and other organisms which harm grass plants to thrive over winter and invade plant tissue. Raking leaves is satisfying and, if done carefully with a besom or spring tined rake, can leave your lawn looking fresh without damaging the vulnerable grass plants.

Leaves raked from the lawn should be put into a pile and left to rot. It is better to enclose them in mesh or wooden crates so they can break down quicker as temperatures build up inside the pile andit is not disturbed by wind. Leaf mould take 2 years before it is useable as leaves have a high proprtion of lignin and other material which takes time to break down.

Making mulch from leaves and other organic material fromthehouse and garden is a great way to obtain free organic material for your garden and leaves raked from the lawn are one of the best sources of this. Mulches keep the rootsof the plants warmer over winter and cooler in hot waeather. Tey also reduce water evaporation and keep roots moist. Mulched areas also mean there are fewer weeds germinating due to the exclusion of light, the soil is dug less frequently and beneficial organisms in the soil can multiply and do their work of breaking down organic matter and incorporating it into the soil layers unhindered. Earthworms and other animals which take organic matter into the soil also create aeration and drainage channels which hep improve the soil structure and aid drainage so mulching is always worth the effort.

When your leaves are ready to use spread them in a layer abour 2 inches thick around plants which will benefit from the mulch. Apply in autumn before the earth gets too cold or else the mulch will act as an insulator and keep the ground colder over winter.

It is best to separate other organic material from leaf mulch because of the time taken for the leaves to break down but you can also use home made compost as a mulch and it is also available for free.

Organic mulches offer slow realease plant food for the plants and they contain a good mix of vital nutrients including potassium, nitrogen and phosphate as well as trace elements .

You can use inorganic mulches as well lie gravel, small pebles, vermicultie and colored glass but these do not offer the nutritional benefits or encourage beneficial soil organisms like the organic mulches do.

To create mulch in your garden is easy. All you need is a space to store the organic material. Placing three wooden crates side by side allows you to fill one with leaves and use the other for other organic material such as vegetable peelings from the house. The thrid compartment is foruse next year while the first leaf mulch is still breaking down. Shredded paper and cardboard can also be used in small amounts. Put the leaves in one side and then weigh the top of the pile down with a piece of wood or plastic to prevent them blowing away. When they have broken down and you will have a wonderful, deep brown rich source of organic mulch. Meantime, you can use the oter pile for small amounts of mulch which will be available after only a few weeks. Turn the non-leaf pile every 6 weeks to increase the rate of decomposition and make the compost more even. Leave theleaf mulch alone until it has broken down. Once you beginto create your own mulch, you will find itis relatively easy to have a continual supply of useful organic mulch.

Learn more about this author, Sammy Stein.
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