Nature's most effective soil builder
The value of shredding
How to shred leaves
How to Store and Use Crushed Leaves
TIP: Why add nitrogen to crushed leaves
A Free Resource That Is Too Valuable To Waste
Nature's most effective soil builder
Fall leaves are a rich source of organic matter and spain email list valuable minerals that trees draw from deep in the soil. When mixed into your garden, they provide food for earthworms and other beneficial organisms. Adding leaves to heavy soils improves aeration. In sandy soils, they help retain moisture.
Shredded leaves also make an attractive, weed-suppressing mulch for garden beds and landscaped areas. As they gradually decompose, they release nutrients and increase soil fertility. In cold climates, shredded leaves can also be used to insulate tender plants from extreme temperatures.
The value of shredding
Leaves that are cut into pieces have many more edges than whole leaves. This makes it easier for microbes to do the work of converting the leaves into humus and readily available plant nutrients. Shredded leaves are less likely to clump together into tight clumps that give off water. They are also easier to store because they take up less than half the space.
Crushed leaves are garden gold
