Many gardeners deliberately leave the falling leaves in the garden. sheer laziness? No, just the opposite. Foliage is the most natural fertilizer you can add to the soil. Find out here how to use the withered leaves for mulching.
Foliage can be used as a cheap mulch
benefits
Foliage mulch (€239.00) is the most cost-effective way to add nutrients to your garden soil. By not disposing of the fallen leaves, you save yourself the purchase of expensive fertilizers. In addition, there is no fertilizer more natural than organic matter.
Of course, it also takes a lot less work not to collect the leaves, but just to spread them around the garden. They even reduce the necessary care measures in two senses: weeds have a hard time making their way to the surface through a dense layer of leaves. If you don't want to bother with weeding next spring, simply apply a layer of leaf mulch to your beds.
Frost protection for perennials
- collect leaves
- Insert four wooden sticks into the ground around the perennial
- make an enclosure around the sticks with wire
- fill the square with leaves
Process leaves into mulch
- collect foliage
- leave for about two weeks
- then distribute in the garden
Little helpers
Small microorganisms will come to your aid in decomposing the foliage. They feed on the withered leaves. They then excrete them as hummus.
What to watch out for
- Oak, chestnut and walnut tree foliage is usually too large to mulch directly from. You should chop it up beforehand.
- Distribute the leaves in the corners of the garden as well. Many animals find winter quarters here.
- Be careful not to stack the foliage too high. If there is moisture, there is a high probability that the bad weather fungus that causes powdery mildew will settle in.