How to Make Leaf Mould

Put those raked leaves to good use by making leaf mold.

Rather than burn fallen leaves or scoop them into trash bags, build a place to contain them. The leaves decompose into leaf mold, providing you with free fertilizer for gardens, trees, shrubs and other plants. While it takes roughly two years for the leaves to break down, the result makes the project worth it, saving you money on expensive composts and fertilizers.

Things You'll Need

• Post-hole digger
• Shovel
• 6 metal posts
• Rubber mallet
• Wire fencing
• Wire cutters
• Wire ties
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Dig six holes in the ground where you want the posts to sit with the post-hole digger. Dig the holes about 5 inches wide and 1 foot deep. The holes should sit in a somewhat circular shape.

2. Insert each post into the ground. Hammer it into the ground with the rubber mallet. Push the dirt you removed from the ground back into the openings to support the pole. Pack the dirt firmly with the shovel.

3. Wrap the fencing around the outside of the posts. Trim off the extra fencing with wire cutters. Wrap metal ties around the fencing and the posts where they cross paths. Use the pliers to help you twist the metal ties. Use about four or five ties per post. Use one tie at the top, one at the bottom and space the rest out evenly along the pole.

4. Fill the inside of the fenced in area with leaves. Fine Gardening recommends adding grass clippings to the leaves.

5. Use the leaf mold once it feels soft and falls apart easily in your hands. It will have the consistency of potting soil. It takes about a year and a half to two years to reach this consistency.

References

• Fine Gardening: Making Leaf Mold
• Green Fingers: Making Leaf Mould