Step 1 – Collect your leaves
Autumn means leaf-fall. Slightly damp leaves are great for leaf mould as they will begin to break down more easily. Collect leaves from your pathways and lawn, patios and balconies, but – generally speaking – it’s okay to leave leaves on your flower beds as they will slowly break down, adding nutrients to the soil. If you want to collect them from your flower beds though, we won’t stop you!
If you’re collecting dry leaves, it’s a good idea to wet them slightly with a hose, before the next stage.
If you’re collecting a mixture of leaves from different trees, it’s not a bad idea to shred them first – especially stroner, waxier leaves such as sycamore or horse chestnut. A really easy way to do this is to mow over them with a lawnmower, and then rake them up into piles.
Step 2 – Choosing a container
The best two methods are either to construct a wire cage or to use plastic bags. Here’s a mini-guide to both approaches:
Wire cage: Stake three or four posts in the ground (bamboo is a nice, sturdy and affordable approach) and wrap with chicken wire to create an aerated container. Fill with leaves and you’re away. This method keeps everything contained, lets lots of air in, and is great for bigger quantities.
Plastic bag: You’ll need a sturdy plastic bag and old compost bags are perfect for this. It’s a great way to reuse them, giving them a second, third, fourth etc. life. Simple fill a bag tightly with leaves, roll up the top and weight it closed with a brick or rock and then punch a few air holes in it. Hey presto.
Step 3 – Store and wait
Now that you’ve assembled your container, place it in a cool, shaded and accessible spot. Out of direct summer sun (you’re going to have to cast your mind forward to warmer months here) to avoid overheating and drying out. Leaves will take a couple of years to decompose so this is a long game – but, after two years, you should have a fine, dark, crumbly peat-like substance that is unrivaled in terms of its nutrient-benefits for your garden.
Step 4 – Moisture
To get to that crumbly black-gold of a substance, you won’t need to do much really, other than make sure there’s plenty of moisture. You don’t want it to be saturated, but keeping everything damp over the deteriorating years is vital. Check regularly for moisture levels and give everything a good spritz as needed to keep things damp.
