Leaves lying around in kitchen and ornamental gardens have advantages and disadvantages. Foliage used correctly can save you a lot of work. In the wrong place, it can also harm the plants.

In a nutshell

  • Distinguish types of foliage in the garden
  • Use leaves in the ornamental garden for mulching
  • Cover beds with leaves in the fall
  • Leaves are winter quarters for various animals

foliage species

Leaves are not just leaves: depending on the species, they can be used in the garden or should end up on the compost after raking. Foliage from apple or pear trees is usually a valuable mulch in the garden. On the other hand, large amounts of leaves from the walnut tree can be problematic. The leaves contain a large amount of tannins, which can even have a negative effect on the growth of vegetable crops.

The foliage of exotic trees can also be problematic. Some species such as the tree of heaven have toxic ingredients and should therefore be removed from the vegetable patch in particular.

foliage on lawn

Raking the leaves is part of the work of many garden owners in the fall. The thick layer of leaves damages the lawn and the grass does not grow properly. However, you can leave small amounts of leaves on the lawn. The foliage should definitely be shredded. Go over the area with a mulching mower. The slowly decomposing mulch provides the grass with additional nutrients.

Notice: Do not wait too long to shred the leaves on the lawn so that the mulch layer can settle. If leaves fall on the surface later, you should remove them.

in the ornamental garden

If you have many perennial perennials in your ornamental garden, they will definitely benefit if you leave the foliage. The foliage protects the plants in winter. The advantage is that you can leave fallen leaves lying around. You can selectively place foliage that you want to remove in the ornamental garden to mulch the plants.

in the kitchen garden

Leaves in the kitchen garden are also a good way to cover unused beds over the winter. However, you should not use the foliage to mulch crops that grow in the garden over the winter, such as winter onion sets.

Mulching beds with leaves:

  • use mostly dry foliage
  • cut up with the lawn mower
  • spread evenly
  • do not stack higher than 10 cm

Most of the leaves that you raked for your kitchen garden compost over the winter. Then clear away leftovers in March so that the soil can warm up better and put it on the compost heap.

in the berry garden

If you have berry bushes, then this is the ideal place to rake and put the foliage there. You can also use all types of foliage there without any problems. Berry bushes prefer a slightly acidic soil and you can create this environment with the rotting leaves.

The mulch layer in the berry garden can be 20-30 centimeters. You don't have to shred the foliage beforehand. By constantly renewing the mulch layer, you also prevent weeds from quickly growing between the berry bushes.

in the nature garden

You should not rake the leaves in the natural garden. If leaves bother you in one place, you can pile them up in another spot. In winter, a pile of leaves offers many animals a shelter that is essential for their survival.

Animals that benefit from foliage:

  • Hedgehog
  • ladybug
  • caterpillars
  • be crazy

compost foliage

If you can't or don't want to leave the leaves behind, you can turn them into valuable leaf compost. You can use the leaf compost for different plants such as hydrangeas. In the berry garden you can use the leaf compost as fertilizer. Leaf compost differs somewhat from normal compost in terms of production.

The leaf compost consists of different layers, but not all garden waste is suitable for it. The leaf compost also takes two years to finish. If the drought persists, you should water the compost so that rotting is not slowed down.

Layering of leaf compost, from bottom to top:

  • leaves
  • compost soil
  • lawn clippings
  • horn meal

As long as you have space in the compost pile, keep piling up, always starting with a thick layer of foliage. The foliage layer takes up most of the space and can be up to 40 cm thick. The layer of compost should be a maximum of 20 cm thick. Lawn clippings should also not be piled up more than 20 cm. As an organic component, just sprinkle some horn meal over it. If you have fresh animal manure available, you can use it to replace the horn meal.

frequently asked Questions

Do I have to remove the leaves from paths?

If there are leaves from your trees on public paths, you must remove them. Otherwise, leaving the leaves lying around could endanger or injure passers-by if they fall.

Can I dry the leaves and use them for mulching later?

Yes, you can dry unshredded foliage and use it later for mulching. Before that, however, it should be crushed so that it rots better.

Can I use a leaf blower?

In some countries it is forbidden to use a leaf blower to protect animals. It is advisable not to use a leaf blower. If you don't want to rake the leaves, it's best to use a leaf blower.

Category:

Garden maintenance