For many generations, leaves have been one of the most abundant organic resources available to gardeners.
Leaves are 100% organic matter with excellent nutrient-holding capacity, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, mycorrhyzal fungi, and moisture-holding capacity, which equalizes the soil temperature. Leaves provide a wide range of natural 'fertilizers' as they continue to decay into the existing soil.
By gathering leaves in the fall and bringing them to your garden, you will increase the fertility, biodiversity and structure of your soil. Your plant material uses up much of this organic matter as nutrients for their own growth, so we need to replenish it regularly. Mother Nature supplies a rich abundance of leaves every fall, and--best of all--they are free for the taking.
Spread leaves over your garden beds as mulch, or cover empty beds, and let them decay into your soil. In the spring, you can add compost right over top or you can add the leaves to the compost pile. You may notice that certain leaves--thicker, waxy ones--will not decay as rapidly as others. It's best not to use these leaves. Examples are Holly, Rhododendrons, Viburnums--mostly all evergreen leaves.
If we work to use leaves in this way, there will come a day when the city's expenses of collecting and disposing of the leaves will be eliminated by urban gardeners and we will all reap the rewards of using the richness of leaves as nature intended.
At My Living Canvas, we are providing sustainable human-powered gardening practices, keeping you and your neighbors at peace naturally. My Living Canvas believes in feeding the soil rather than feeding the plant. Every year before new growth erupts from the ground we add compost to flower beds and lawns. This process provides all the nutrition plants require for a healthy growing season. All the organic matter when breaking down continues to nourish the soil as well as retain moisture in the ground.
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