GTOTM (Garden Tip of the Month) Composting Leaves

In an earlier blog regarding the division of irises, soil amendment was mentioned.  This is a perfect segue to the tip of the month; What does one do with all the leaves left behind by mother nature every fall?  The answer is simple!!!  The recycling and composting of leaves is an excellent thing to do for your garden soil, plants and the environment  in general.  Consider the benefits of mulching and composting the leaves each fall back into your gardens and around plantings:

1. They will help conserve moisture.
2. Controls soil erosion.
3. Regulates soil temperatures in summer and winter.
4. Reduces weeds.
5. Reduces stress of drought.
6. Insulates the soil.
7. Helps winter survival of plants
8. Adds a variety of nutrients back into the soil.
9. Improves soil structure.
10 Promote an environment for earth worms, natures natural soil aerators!
11. Prevents leaves from entering the water ways, or landfills.

After raking all those leaves simply put them somewhere in a big pile and cover with a tarp and let them decompose over winter and add them in the spring at the depth of  3" or more as mulch around plantings and in your garden beds.  I choose to shred them in the fall and apply after the gardens are somewhat cleaned out.  Leaves do not change the PH of your soil.

****A word of caution is in order. If your leaves are from black walnut trees, be sure there are no nuts in your leaves as they will have ill effects on your soil and plants.