Do you ever think what to do with the dry & dead leaves that accumulate on your home garden or lawn? Rather than throw them in the garbage, we should use them as an important resource to protect our plants or to fertilize the ground. When sent to dumps, they produce methane, a greenhouse gas that further accelerates the global warming.
Best ways to use dry leaves:
Below we have mentioned some ways in which you can utilize dry leaves;
1. Make your own fertilizer:
Dry leaves are the source of organic material. Pass the lawnmower slowly over the leaves as they fall so as to shred them. To make them decompose more quickly, use a mulching mower that will cut them up into smaller pieces. Then spread the pieces to make them disappear into the lawn.
2. Convert leaves into humus:
This is another simple way to use dry leaves is to let them change into humus. In an isolated part of the garden, pile them up and wet them. Then crush it on the pile and add a few shovelfuls of good soil. Repeat this process each time you add leaves. In the spring, they will be decomposed and will have turned into good nourishing humus that you can spread at the feet of bushes and trees or in the garden.
3. Protect plants in the winter:
Dry leaves provide excellent protection during the winter when placed around plants. You just have to place the leaves around the plants without piling them up, so that air can circulate. In windy places, nylon net fastened to the ground with stakes keeps them covered and prevents them from blowing away. It is important to gather dry leaves as soon as possible after they fall, before they start rotting.
4. Keep your leaves for curbside Recycling
If you prefer to get rid of dead leaves, do it when there is a separate collection. These collections are organized in the autumn in many municipalities to recycle or compost plant residues. Collections are usually announced there. Depending on the municipality, leaves must be placed in garbage cans, rigid reusable containers, cardboard boxes or biodegradable paper bags. Transparent or orange plastic bags may also be accepted in some places.
5. Use it as Compost:
Dry leaves can also become an important ingredient in a good compost, which is better than chemical fertilizer. Compost nourishes plants, preserves moisture in the soil, helps spread fertilizer, facilitates weeding, attracts worms and helps prevent diseases.
During the collection of these leaves, try to avoid leaves that are sprinkled with black spots. It indicates the presence of mushroom spores. Since these spores survive the domestic composting process, they could contaminate your compost and, eventually, your plants. Also, avoid incorporating walnut or oak leaves in your compost as they contain tannins that harm decomposer organisms.
So collect the fallen leaves of your garden and put it in bags and keep them aside, away from the rain. You can add them gradually to the compost. Remember that it is preferable to shred the leaves before adding them as dry matter in the composter. This is an eco-friendly way of transforming dry leaves into something useful.
