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Gardening 101: How to Use Fallen Leaves

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Gardening 101: How to Use Fallen Leaves

October 22, 2021

Everybody knows that the absolute best use for fallen leaves is to rake them into a high, crunchy pile in the middle of the lawn and then jump in. Second best? Use fallen leaves as mulch. Here’s how:

Photographs by John Merkl for Gardenista.

Above: Deciduous leaves are packed with the same minerals as fertilizer you buy.

Keep it simple: You can mulch two ways, with shredded leaves (if you have, say, a lawn mower) or whole leaves.

If you don’t have a mower or shredder, mulch with whole leaves. Spread a thin layer of leaves in garden beds so water still can penetrate to plants’ roots.

Above: Use leaves as mulch in garden beds: it prevents weeds, encourages worms, and makes heavy soil fluffier.

Directions

Step 1: Rake leaves into a pile.

Step 2: To mulch with whole leaves, use a pitchfork to spread a 1-inch layer evenly around the roots of plants.

Step 3: To make shredded mulch, rake leaves into a long row about a foot wide. Then run a lawn mower over the leaves, back and forth, a few times. Spread a 1-inch layer of shredded leaves around the roots of plants.

For more on fall foliage, see:

N.B.: This post is an update; it was last published November 2019.

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