8 Uses for Fall Leaves
As leaves continue to fall in New Jersey, many homeowners spend their evenings and weekends raking and bagging them, struggling to keep up. While jumping in the leaves is appealing to children, most adults are looking to check this annual task off their never-ending to-do list. If filling bag after bag has lost its appeal, there are other uses for fall leaves that homeowners could consider.
What can you do with fall leaves?
Instead of bagging fall leaves for the weekly trash pickup, consider these alternative uses.
Compost them.
Composting over the winter is a great way to have a nutrient-rich garden in the spring. If you have a compost pile, leaves are a great carbon addition! They should be layered between the green ingredients. If you are looking for fast decomposition, it is best to shred the leaves before adding them to the compost pile.
Use fall leaves as mulch.
Winter will be here before we know it, bringing the cold and snow with it. Plants have a difficult time surviving the cold and wet season. Adding a layer of leaves around these plants provides protection, giving them a better chance at survival.
Build soil.
Some gardeners have Lasagna Garden, which is used to build soil instead of growing plants. Leaves can do wonders to help build soil in these gardens. Cardboard should be placed over the top of the weeds and made wet. Leaves are then added on top of the cardboard and left to sit for the winter. Once spring arrives, there will be a layer of fertile, fluffy soil you can use in your garden.
Mow the leaves.
Fall leaves are full of nutrients that are beneficial to the lawn. Many homeowners mow their leaves and leave them to help encourage a healthy root system and lawn come spring.
Use them to store plants.
The best place for root vegetables to thrive is in the ground, but the time comes when you have to remove them and store them indoors. Dry leaves can be used when storing these to keep them fresh longer.
Make a leaf mold.
A leaf mold doesn’t sound very appealing, but it is extremely beneficial to your garden soil and is very easy to make. Add leaves to a bag, dampen them, and then tie the bag shut. Over the winter months, the leaves will break down in the bag into a crumbly material that can be added to soil to attract healthy organisms.
Repurpose them as decor.
This activity is especially fun if you have children at home. Fall leaves can be used in art projects, modge podge on pumpkins, centerpieces, or fall wreaths.
Build a scarecrow.
In the fall, many families enjoy building scarecrows to keep unwanted pests out of their yard. Instead of stuffing it with straw, use fall leaves from your backyard instead.
For additional information on how to keep your lawn healthy in the fall and winter, contact Perennial Lawn Care today!
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