A two-inch layer of leaf mulch around crops helps suppress weeds, prevents soil compaction, retains moisture in the soil, and insulates the soil from severe temperatures. If you have an abundance of leaves, you can store them whole or shredded in a pile, bin or what I call a leaf corral and wet them.
As mulched leaves decompose, they work as a soil amendment, adding organic matter and improving soil. Mowing leaves instead of raking also helps to reduce landfills.
Cons of mulching leaves
Too much leaf mulch can create thatch. Thatch buildup isn't good for lawns as it creates a barrier that blocks water, oxygen, and nutrients.
While whole leaves take a longer time to break down (about two to three years), cut up leaves decompose faster (about one year) and can provide plenty of nutrients for the soil. You can use whole and/or chopped leaves in gardens and flower beds as mulch.
If the leaves are thick enough that they're covering the grass and smothering it, they're too thick. Otherwise, feel free to continue mulch mosing them.
Plant problems caused by too much mulch
Excessive mulch reduces soil oxygen for roots, suffocating them and causing them to die. Roots in search of oxygen and water sometimes grow into excess mulch. During dry periods the mulch dries out and the roots in the mulch die.
Adding leaves to heavy soils improves aeration. In sandy soils, they help retain moisture. Shredded leaves also make an attractive, weed-suppressing mulch for garden beds and landscaped areas. As they gradually decompose, they release nutrients and increase the fertility of the soil.
Wearing a dust mask is recommended to avoid inhaling small particles. Mulch mowing up to tall vegetation or woodland edge may help to reduce tick habitat (Wickings, 2015). Variations in the degradation process of leaves based on tree species has been observed.
Over time, those leaves will break down into rich, organic compost that will do wonders for improving the quality of any soil. While it's not an overnight transformation, in a few years, even hard packed clay will improve to an impressive mix of rich loamy soil several inches deep.
Mulching can be an expensive landscaping choice in terms of both money and labor. You will need to use good quality soil that contains large amounts of organic matter when planting your garden bed after it has been mulched. In the long run, you will need to replenish some of the mulch from time to time.
Mulching leaves in yards, instead of removing them, actually benefits lawns and gardens, according to experts.
However, there's good news. A study done at Michigan State University shows that you can forget about raking, blowing, and bagging leaves. Instead, just mulch them with your lawn mower and feed your lawn with a nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer like Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food.
There are some species that tolerate excessive mulch better than others. Some of the worst effected plants are grassy plants (iris, daylilies, liriope, etc.), Indian Hawthorn, Azaleas and Loropetalum.
Cons: Leaf mulch can be blown away in the wind if not properly positioned. If not shredded enough or placed firmly on the top soil, the wind can easily blow the mulch away. Unlike hardwood mulch that can usually withstand winds so long as the layer of mulch is thick.
Looking for free “fertilizer” for your lawn or garden? Look to leaves! Leaves that drop in the fall can supply all the nutrients needed in a vegetable garden.
Leaf mulching avoids the spreading dust and contaminants into the air and saves you time and money. The benefits of leaf mulching are numerous. water management. Additional organic matter loosens the soil allowing grass roots to penetrate more deeply, improving grass health.
Leaf mold is like compost except that it's made only with leaves (so no “green” material) and is broken down by fungus instead of bacteria. It can be used the same way as compost (to amend the soil) or like mulch (spread over the soil). Leaf mulch is also made from leaves but they're not fully decomposed.
For best results turning your fallen leaves into mulch, shred the leaves prior to winter. Shredding can be as simple as chopping the leaves up with a lawnmower or using tools created specifically for this process. While shredding is not necessary, it will lead to a more consistent mulch that is darker in color.
Too many and you will form a thick layer of debris, stopping sunlight from reaching the roots. According to Kansas State University, you can mulch a maximum of six inches of leaves into your lawn.
Mulch that is too high or too close to the trunk can cause problems that damage your tree over time. Too much mulch can… Smother the tree's roots, thus starving them of needed oxygen. In search for oxygen, the roots will often grow up through the mulch causing them to “girdle” around the trunk and cut off water supply.
Leaf mulch mowing can be done with a standard homeowner or commercial lawn mower. To help shred the leaves into smaller pieces, it's recommended that a mulching blade be used. This type of blade, which has grooves to shred the leaves, is inexpensive and available for any type of mower.
Fallen leaves are nature's way of enriching the soil in which plants grow. As they are consumed by fungi, bacteria, and other organisms in the soil, the decomposition process releases nutrients that plants need and improves the soil structure to make it a better home for plants' roots.
The greater the area or wt of leaf, the better the root and shoot growths, implying that leaf contributed to adventitious root growth. However, retaining the leaf for just 2 days was enough to stimulate rooting in more than 80% of the cuttings, suggesting that leaf tissue could also induce root formation.
Using clippings as mulch
In general, putting mulch around flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees helps reduce weeds, conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Grass clippings are a good mulch option with a few conditions: Do not apply more than 1 or 2 inches of grass clippings at one time. Use dry clippings.