How to Chop Up Leaves

Autumn leaves compost faster once they are chopped up.

Autumn leaves left on the lawn prevent sunlight and rain from reaching the grass, which leads to fungal diseases and patchy lawn growth. One solution is to put the leaves on a compost pile or in a flower bed as mulch. However, leaves in a compost pile take a long time to break down into compost, and leaves on a flower bed form a water repelling mat. The best way to make the leaves work for you in the garden is by chopping them up before adding them to the compost pile or flower beds.

Things You'll Need

• Mulching lawn mower
• Leaves
• Safety glasses
• Rake

Instructions

1. Choose a day to chop up leaves when the lawn and leaves are dry.

2. Rake the dried leaves into several rows 1 to 2 inches deep rather than into a big pile. Remove any large limbs or twigs that are too large for the mulching lawnmower to shred.

3. Run over the leaves with the mulching lawnmower to chop them up. You may need to run over them several times to break them down sufficiently. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes during the process.

4. Rake the chopped-up leaves into a pile. Apply the chopped leaves to the compost pile where they will break down into compost or use the leaves as mulch to prevent weeds around the plants and conserve moisture.

References

• York Region: Leaf Mulching
• Aggie Horticulture Agrilife Extension: Don't Bag It--Leaf Management Plan