Autumn leaves are a great boon to the careful gardener. They can be used both as a nutritional fertilizer and as a warm mulch. Of course, only healthy leaves should be used. Dried leaves can be used as mulch. All others can be used for composting. For more garden tips on how to use fallen leaves, see this Bubgo article.
In warm, dry weather, collect leaves in large polypropylene bags. Leaves should come from healthy trees. If the fruit or ornamental trees and shrubs in your garden have been sick in past seasons, then the fallen leaves should not be used in compost or flower beds. Sick leaves must always be burned off.
The most valuable leaves are mulches from maples and oaks. They do not decay over a long period of time. The same leaf litter can be used for 2-3 seasons
For composting, leaves from apple trees are fine as long as there is no disease on the tree. Do not make a big pile of leaves. Rake them out in a thin layer and mix them with the soil.
Fall leaves are good fuel for warming beds. By alternating leaf litter, manure and cardboard, the beds will be very warm and fertile.
1. I put all the other leaves from different trees and shrubs in large black polyethylene garbage bags. I fill them very tightly so that there are no gaps.
2. I fill it with hot water.
3. I tie it tightly and put it on the side of the fence where it won't get in the way.
4. If you let it ripen in the spring, it will make a great fertilizer for your garden and flower crops come fall.
