What do you do with your fall leaves?

**Jaded** · 09-22-2007, 11:53 AM

With fall upon most of us, I was wondering what you do with your leaves? Do you bag and dispose of, compost, or use as mulch?

I use mine as mulch. I keep saying I'm going to start a compost pile, but I haven't. I will say that I let the leaves stay on the ground in the shade plantings under the oak trees, and while that soil was YUCKY 10 years ago when I got here, it's now rich and full of earthworms.

It's amazing how much a few leaves can improve your soil! Down here, we need all the help we can get.

**carlitasway** · 09-22-2007, 11:55 AM

We started using them as mulch last year. We live in a rental that didn't have much grass. Now we have more. We need to plant more seed in the spring.

**ravenmaniac** · 09-22-2007, 01:27 PM

Fall leaves have many wonderfull uses. They make great mulch for your grass when chopped up by your lawnmower. Leaves can also be used as "mulch" on your flower beds. You just rake a layer onto your flower beds. They can cover up and protect plants that needs extra protection from harsh winters. When spring is arriving, rake (carefully) any leaves that did not decompose off your beds. You want to be carefull so you don't hurt any plants that might be peaking out of the ground. Put the leaves that did not decompose on your compost pile. Also, there's something that brings outthe inner kid in you when you rake the leaves into a pile and junp in them. Make sure there are no sticks or other hazards in or around the pile. It's fun with your kids, grandkids, neices, nephews, neighborhood kids, etc.

**ravenmaniac** · 09-22-2007, 01:31 PM

Re to seeding in the spring. Now's the perfect time to seed. For more info. check out about.com.

**DixieJ** · 09-22-2007, 04:17 PM

I usually rake mine and use as mulch for my banana trees and elephant ears.

Dixie Jean

**Jaded** · 09-22-2007, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by ravenmaniac

Re to seeding in the spring. Now's the perfect time to seed. For more info. check out about.com.

Yeah, it's a great time to winter sow in Maryland, but remember, I live in S. Florida. This is our growing season!

**pqb57** · 09-23-2007, 07:57 AM

We rake ours to the curb and the town picks them up and the town composts them. Any town resident can get free compost and mulch from them.

**Rompers1** · 09-23-2007, 09:19 AM

My neighbor has been taking mine. She is going to make a lasagna bed...have you heard of it? You make layers of leaves and newspaper in the shape you want your garden to be and let it sit over the winter. In the spring you have a wonderfully composted dirt to plant in.