Resources
~ Raking in Nature’s Bounty ~
- Tree roots penetrate through top soil and deep into subsoil taking up valuable mineral nutrients through their roots and storing them in their leaves, which fall to the ground and decay, completing one of nature’s most important cycles.
- Pound for pound, leaves contain more minerals than manure! Leaves are a great way to add free organic matter to your garden
- Mulch prevents soil erosion and controls weeds; as Linda Gilkeson says: "Mulching is not optional". When soils freeze, they expand. As freezing alternates with thawing, the movement of the soil tears loose fine roots and heaves crowns of plants out of the soil. This is why plants and especially veggies, benefit from mulches that keep the top layer of soil from freezing.
- Use handfuls of scrunched up leaves placed around plants to cover as much of the soil as possible.
- Any kind of leaves will do Maple, Oak, even Arbutus. It's not recommended to use diseased leaves such as pear or apple, please make sure to dispose of these.
- Brown bag them, or fill garbage bags full of leaves and poke holes in so worms can get in and add their wonderful worm castings. Stash bags in your garage, at the side of the house , or in your mother-in-laws carport…
- Make a simple wire or landscape-fence cage to store leaves and make ‘leaf mould’, it takes longer than compost; about 1 year, but worth the wait
- Compost 101: leaves are an important source of carbon.
- Lack of carbon is a common cause of compost problems: anaerobic, & smelly compost
- 5 yard waste bags of leaves per year to layer is about what you need for a typical square black compost bin
- Make sure to store leaves BESIDE your compost bin, in a large garbage can or similar container, to add after each layer of kitchen scraps. Keep a pair of tongs handy to grab the leaves. Layer your greens and browns!
- Get raking nature's bounty- it’s not too late
sources: 'A Year on the Garden Path' Carolyn Herriot 2005
'Year-Around Harvest' Linda A. Gilkeson 2005
Written by: Heather N. MG, Vancouver
