Wheelbarrows full of fall leaves come in these weeks – too good for the garbage. Valuable compost is made from it without much effort.
In the fall, wet leaves cover the lawn like an impenetrable layer, allowing mold and other fungi to grow underneath. Therefore, it is raked off there as completely as possible. But it's good to use elsewhere: for example as a separating layer under the potting soil on the hill bed or to cover the compost heap.
Well chopped, the valuable ingredients of the leaves become even more readily available, especially the carbon, which is indispensable for good hummus. Because leaves contain a lot of acid compared to other green waste, can be used to neutralize soil that is too calcareous or to create the right soil climate for rhododendrons and other plants, need the acidic soil.
The finished leaf compost looks like forest soil. It is good for ericaceous plants.
If you want to achieve a mixture that is compatible with all plants, the leaves are mixed with nitrogenous green cuttings (lawn clippings, nettles) or kitchen waste. Algae lime or rock flour also neutralize the acids and accelerate the rotting of the leaves. For the compost heap, it is crushed and divided into approx. 30 cm thick layers applied, between which one compost, Steinmehl, animal manure such as manure, Horn-, blood- or bone meal and compost accelerator sprinkles.
Leaves are also very suitable as mulch, chopped if possible, so that it does not stick together and decomposes more easily. It can be used under hedges or around trees for loosening, keep the floor warm. So that it remains under free-standing trees, you can build a small fence out of wire mesh, which is stretched around several pegs. Finally, shredded foliage also makes good winter cover for roses, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries.
From compost to beneficial insect quarters: What can become of leaves
In the shredder, the leaves are shredded together with the branch cuttings. So can especially the tannin-containing nut tree- and oak leaves rot better.
For the compost, the mixture of shredded leaves and wood cuttings is a valuable ingredient, which is well decomposed by the microorganisms.
Pure leaf compost is produced in the black plastic bag. A mixture of different types of leaves with compost starter or lime works best.
Leaf compost is a good soil conditioner. So that the leaves rot faster, sprinkle algae lime evenly over it.
Winter quarters for beneficial insects and mammals such as. B. Hedgehogs are piles of leaves, piled up around trees or under hedge bushes.
foliage varieties, that cause problems
• Eichenlaub sowie die Blätter von Nußbaum und Kastanie enthalten besonders viele Gerbstoffe, that inhibit growth. They only rot mixed with stone dust. But their effect is z. B. welcome on garden paths, because then fewer weeds grow up there.
• Obstbaumlaub, especially from diseased trees, is a wintering place for pest eggs and fungal spores. That's why it doesn't go in the compost heap. It is not a problem for large composting plants.
• Straßenbäume nehmen viele Schadstoffe und Schwermetalle aus der Luft auf. Their leaves therefore do not belong in the garden.