When the leaves start to fall from the trees you will hear a lot of gardening folk talking about making leaf mulch. From what I can gather, it is excellent for the soil, it can be used as top dressing in autumn and the worms will take it down into the soil over the winter, it is easy to make and free. So how easy is it to make? I decided to have a go.
We have a couple of trees in the garden and I spend most of this time clearing leaves and putting them in the garden waste bin. So I thought I would try to make one bag of leaf mulch.
According to the google searches, you need leaves, black bin bags, some water and a place to pop the bin bag full of leaves for a year or two. That is it in simple terms. But when reading more they kept saying the leaves needed to be shredded, hmm that is not as simple as I first thought.
So I have swept up my leaves, yes you read that correctly, I swept up the leaves. I do most of the gardening with the toddler and an outside hard broom means if he grabs it no real harm can be caused.
The leaves were meant to be shredded but I had no real way of doing that so I got out the sheers and randomly cut them up. Seemed to work most of the leaves had been cut in some way.
Then found a large bin bag and put them in. Sprinkled some water in using the watering can, nowhere did it say how much water to add. So I decided to add, shake the bag and see if they were looking wet when they all looked damp I stopped. Put some holes into the bag, found stabbing it with a garden fork worked well.
Tie a knot in the top and put it behind the shed.....
I now need to wait a year to see if I have lovely fresh leaf much or a pile of soggy stinky leaves. 
We have a couple of trees in the garden and I spend most of this time clearing leaves and putting them in the garden waste bin. So I thought I would try to make one bag of leaf mulch.
According to the google searches, you need leaves, black bin bags, some water and a place to pop the bin bag full of leaves for a year or two. That is it in simple terms. But when reading more they kept saying the leaves needed to be shredded, hmm that is not as simple as I first thought.
So I have swept up my leaves, yes you read that correctly, I swept up the leaves. I do most of the gardening with the toddler and an outside hard broom means if he grabs it no real harm can be caused.
The leaves were meant to be shredded but I had no real way of doing that so I got out the sheers and randomly cut them up. Seemed to work most of the leaves had been cut in some way.
Then found a large bin bag and put them in. Sprinkled some water in using the watering can, nowhere did it say how much water to add. So I decided to add, shake the bag and see if they were looking wet when they all looked damp I stopped. Put some holes into the bag, found stabbing it with a garden fork worked well.
 |
| Shredding the leaves by hand |
 |
| Add a little water at a time |
Tie a knot in the top and put it behind the shed.....
 |
| Holes in and hidden behind the shed |
I now need to wait a year to see if I have lovely fresh leaf much or a pile of soggy stinky leaves.
Great activity to do with the kids and also much better than Daddy’s way of making a massive bonfire and smoking out the neighbours. Will definitely be trying this! #tacticaltuesdays
ReplyDeletehahaha i love it, my mum used to do that to everyone too xx
DeleteGreat idea- not tried this so definitely worth a go! #tacticaltuesdays
ReplyDeleteits a great idea and really good for the soil and free x
DeleteHope it works and isn't a stinky pile. #TacticalTuesdays
ReplyDeleteme too but i am a tad rubbish in the garden so will not expect too much
DeleteDoes it go really smelly? My little ones would of loved to help with this! #FortheloveofBLOG
ReplyDeleteI hope not but think if they do not rot it will be an interesting smell x
DeleteI've never heard of thus before its a good idea though. And i bet the kids had fun
ReplyDeleteThey loved it which was great to see. Also got them outside. Even better
DeleteThat’s a great idea for a family activity, I always loved collecting leaves when I was a kid. My daughter would love sweeping them. I know they make composting kits but I think the bin bag is the perfect starting point. “#blogstravaganza
ReplyDeleteOh I'm intrigued to see how this turns out! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post and something that I've never done before. I usually just pick mine up and put them in our garden bin, which is something I need to do now. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
ReplyDeleteOoh I hope it works. I loved raking up the leaves in our garden last year #stayclassymama
ReplyDeleteI hope it works. Sure wish we didn't have to wait a year to find out. I have heard about this but I didn't realize you had to add water and wait a year. I just sort of figured you run the mower over the leaves and call it a day. Good thing I didn't try that. Thanks for sharing with #Blogstravaganza.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I don't have a garden but will be passing this on to my in laws and I'm sure they will love the tip. Thank you for sharing with #StayClassyMama
ReplyDelete