My wife and I own a lawncare company, this time of the year there is about a 4 week window where we will mow up about 3,000 gallons of mulched leaves per week. We also have an herban homestead with 12 large raised beds and 1,200 square feet of in-ground garden. The mowers mulch up the leaves a bit, making them break down faster. For the in-ground garden, we broad fork it this time of year and then cover it in a thick layer of leaves for the winter. In the Spring, the soil will be unbelievably soft and black in color. We cover all our raised beds with them also. Lastly, we have multiple compost piles but one of them only has leaves and nothing else. We will fill it up and let it partially break down over winter and then use it for mulch throughout the year on our beds, so a composted mulch. Composted leaves smell great also, like walking through a wet forest after a rain.
I agree. I was driving home and saw bags of leaves. I asked a couple of people if I could have them. They didn’t understand; but I saved $ and still have some for next spring. So many things can be repurposed. Thanks for the video and take care!
I get free burlap bags from coffee roasters, and use those to line round bins I make from 3' or 4' wire fencing - much cheaper than hardware cloth, and they look nice. Hold the bags up with wooden clothespins, or you can "sew" them in with wire. Fill with leaves and throw a bag or two on top; it helps keep the pile moist in our Central Texas heat. If you have a LOT of leaves that you want to break down fast, used coffee grounds from a local coffee shop layered in work great, so do 100% alfalfa feed pellets (just not free). I got the fencing curbside when a neighbor was moving out and borrowed the bolt cutter (easiest way to snip the fence wire), so total cost for 4-5 piles has been $1.50 for clothespins.
I am thrilled to just be finding your channel!! I have used my little truck and big shovel to scoop leaf piles directly for about 10 years now. You gave me some great ideas for improving my garden and composting system. I have tended to avoid evergreen needles and oak leaves imagining they are acidic and with tannins. Are the kind of leaves one chooses important?
Thank you!! We don't have many pine trees in Central Texas, but Live oaks have thick waxy leaves and would benefit from shredding prior to compost. I am not too concerned about the types of leaves when it comes to composting applications as it is a long term process.
You can use them just as they are and nature will do the job for you. It will take some time though so if you want to have a tidier aesthetic then composting or shredding would be useful.
My wife and I own a lawncare company, this time of the year there is about a 4 week window where we will mow up about 3,000 gallons of mulched leaves per week. We also have an herban homestead with 12 large raised beds and 1,200 square feet of in-ground garden. The mowers mulch up the leaves a bit, making them break down faster. For the in-ground garden, we broad fork it this time of year and then cover it in a thick layer of leaves for the winter. In the Spring, the soil will be unbelievably soft and black in color. We cover all our raised beds with them also. Lastly, we have multiple compost piles but one of them only has leaves and nothing else. We will fill it up and let it partially break down over winter and then use it for mulch throughout the year on our beds, so a composted mulch. Composted leaves smell great also, like walking through a wet forest after a rain.
Thanks for sharing your experience, that's awesome!
The head bob is everything. Lol Great video.
Thank you!!!
I agree. I was driving home and saw bags of leaves. I asked a couple of people if I could have them. They didn’t understand; but I saved $ and still have some for next spring. So many things can be repurposed. Thanks for the video and take care!
Love that! Thanks for sharing 🙏✨
Another great video!
Thank you!!! 🙏✨
I get free burlap bags from coffee roasters, and use those to line round bins I make from 3' or 4' wire fencing - much cheaper than hardware cloth, and they look nice. Hold the bags up with wooden clothespins, or you can "sew" them in with wire. Fill with leaves and throw a bag or two on top; it helps keep the pile moist in our Central Texas heat. If you have a LOT of leaves that you want to break down fast, used coffee grounds from a local coffee shop layered in work great, so do 100% alfalfa feed pellets (just not free). I got the fencing curbside when a neighbor was moving out and borrowed the bolt cutter (easiest way to snip the fence wire), so total cost for 4-5 piles has been $1.50 for clothespins.
Thanks for the tips! I'll have to try out your burlap bag idea.
I am thrilled to just be finding your channel!! I have used my little truck and big shovel to scoop leaf piles directly for about 10 years now. You gave me some great ideas for improving my garden and composting system. I have tended to avoid evergreen needles and oak leaves imagining they are acidic and with tannins. Are the kind of leaves one chooses important?
Thank you!! We don't have many pine trees in Central Texas, but Live oaks have thick waxy leaves and would benefit from shredding prior to compost. I am not too concerned about the types of leaves when it comes to composting applications as it is a long term process.
I’ve collected neighbors leaves
Do we have to compost them in a pile somewhere or would it still help anything to shred and spread leaves/grass clippings over the lawn?
You can use them just as they are and nature will do the job for you. It will take some time though so if you want to have a tidier aesthetic then composting or shredding would be useful.
Keep saying and do you, love your video,
P.S. common sense is no longer common
Thank you for the kind words! 🙏✨