Fall Leaves Desk: shred, mulch, and make leaf mold

Fall leaves are free mulch and soil amendment. Shred them first so they do not mat. Mow a thin layer into the lawn, spread 2 to 4 inches on bare beds now, pile the rest for leaf mold, and wait for frozen ground before covering tender perennial crowns.

Pull diseased leaves and compost black walnut leaves before they go near tomatoes. The live desk adds your zone first frost countdown and a yearly checklist that saves in your browser.

What to do with fall leaves: shred them so they do not mat, mow a thin layer into the lawn, mulch beds 2 to 4 inches, make leaf mold in 6 to 24 months, and skip diseased or fresh black walnut leaves.

Collect and shred

Shred leaves before using them. Whole leaves mat into a layer that sheds water. A mower on its highest setting does the job.

  • Rake out diseased leaves first
  • Mow dry leaves on the high setting, two crisscross passes
  • Bag shredded leaves with the mower bagger or a leaf shredder
  • Save a few bags of dry leaves for summer compost

Mulch beds

Bare beds can take shredded leaves now. Wait for frozen ground before piling leaves over tender perennial crowns so they finish going dormant.

  • Spread 2 to 4 inches of shredded leaves on bare vegetable beds
  • Dig 6 to 8 inches of leaves into beds you will till, in fall
  • Mulch trees, shrubs, and perennial beds 2 to 4 inches deep, a few inches off trunks
  • Cover tender perennial crowns with about 4 inches after the ground freezes
  • Cage and fill borderline-hardy plants with shredded leaves once temperatures stay below freezing

Make leaf mold

Pile or bag leaves, keep them damp, and wait. Shredded leaves are ready in about 6 to 12 months. Whole leaves take 1 to 2 years.

  • Build a wire bin at least 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall
  • Or fill plastic bags, wet the leaves, and poke holes
  • Soak the pile until leaves feel like a wrung-out sponge
  • Check moisture every month or two

Lawn and leave-behind

Mow leaves into the lawn while grass still shows. Bag the rest. Leave a patch of whole leaves where overwintering insects can use it.

  • Mow leaves into the lawn while you can still see grass
  • Bag leaves once less than half the lawn shows
  • Leave a patch of whole leaves under shrubs or in a corner
  • Keep leaves out of streets and storm drains

Avoid list

Most tree leaves are safe. Diseased leaves, fresh black walnut leaves near tomatoes, and thick leathery leaves need special handling.

  • Keep diseased leaves out of mulch and leaf mold
  • Compost black walnut leaves before using them near tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, or eggplant
  • Shred thick leaves like magnolia and sycamore
  • Skip leaves from busy roads and unknown sprayed trees

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