Dried leaves are rich in carbon and when combined with other organic materials that are high in nitrogen, such as vegetable scraps or grass clippings, the two decaying materials eventually form fertile soil, a process known as composting.
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.
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.
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.
Organic mulch decomposes over time, so it will need to be replaced eventually. A typical mulch may last about five years, but this timeframe can decrease depending on the type of mulch, weather conditions, rainfall, sun exposure etc.
With high-performance mulch, you should only need to place a new layer of mulch every one to two years. However, you will likely need to remove old mulch and replace it with new mulch every five to six years.
Over time, mulch will break down and effectively become topsoil but it shouldn't be used in lieu of topsoil. That said, while you could leave your topsoil uncovered, it is wise to cover it with mulch to avoid erosion from the rain and overheating from our hot sun.
Can you mulch too many leaves? It's possible to over-mulch leaves. If the leaf mulch is thick enough that it's blocking and smothering the grass, that's a problem. Ideally, you should still be able to see the grass when you're done mulching to ensure its ability to continue growing.
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.
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.
Plan on mowing leaves instead of raking as part of your regular fall lawn maintenance. Start as soon as leaves begin to fall. Mowing a few leaves is simpler than mowing a lot, and dry leaves mulch better than wet ones.
Feed Your Lawn To Speed Up The Process
Soil microbes do a better job recycling carbon from leaves when they have nitrogen. Applying Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food after mulching your leaves will not only fertilize your lawn but also feed the microbes so they can break down the leaves faster.
Mulches are especially beneficial when used around newly established landscape plants, greatly increasing the likelihood of their survival. Leaves may be collected and worked directly into garden and flower bed soils. A 6 to 8 inch layer of leaves tilled into a heavy, clay soil will improve aeration and drainage.
If left to rot into leaf mold (a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material resulting from the decomposition of tree and shrub leaves), shredded leaves will make the transition in only a year or so, compared to two to three years for whole leaves.
Any organic mulch, whether it's derived from leaves, grass clippings, compost, wheat straw, or peat moss, has the most tendency to attract bugs and unwanted pests.
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.
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.
If you have trees dropping leaves on your lawn grass, in many cases there is no need to incur blisters by raking them up. Leaves have nutrients, which can be recycled into your lawn.
They typically take between 1-3 years to decompose, and sometimes can compact in the process blocking water and oxygen from the roots of the plant.
While the material itself does not draw termites to the area, mulch spread over three inches deep creates an inviting habitat for the pests. Layers of organic matter trap heat and moisture next to the ground. Termites use this thick mulch as shelter from harsh weather. Some kinds of mulch may even repel termites.
“Every year that you are adding mulch, you are creating additional soil, and your soil will be better.” Mulch materials can include grass clippings and leaves, straw, bark or wood chips in varying sizes and ground or shredded wood products.