In October, many summer residents rush to collect and burn fallen leaves, considering them useless. But in fact, leaves are a valuable resource. They make excellent compost, mulch or a nutritious infusion for autumn feeding. The main thing is to know how to use them correctly.
What you will need:
Rake or garden broom
Chopping mower or pruning shears
Bucket or compost pile
Water for infusion
Option 1. Mulch for tree trunks
Shred dry leaves with a rake or mow the lawn along with the leaves. Spread a thin layer (3–5 cm) under trees and shrubs. This will protect the roots from frost, suppress weeds and turn into humus in the spring.
Do not use leaves that show signs of disease. It is better to dispose of them separately.
Option 2. Quick compost in 2–3 months
Place the shredded leaves in a compost heap, adding a layer of soil or old compost every 20 cm. Pour warm water and cover with film. By spring you will get loose, dark humus.
Option 3. Infusion for autumn feeding
Fill the barrel 2/3 with leaves, add water and leave for 10–14 days. Dilute the strained infusion 1:5 with water and pour over fruit trees and berry bushes. It will enrich the soil with potassium and microelements before winter.
In just a few weeks you will see: the soil under the mulch remains loose, and in the spring the plants grow better.
Question and answer:
How to quickly chop leaves without equipment?
Place them in a bag and walk over it with your feet or roll it with a rolling pin. You can also step on the leaves in the bucket.
Do I need to remove leaves from under fruit trees?
If the trees are healthy, you can leave some as mulch. If there have been diseases, it is better to collect and dispose of the foliage.
