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Autumn leaves in compost bin
Using fallen leaves to make leaf mould can help you create a good textured, nutrient-rich compost. We share how in our guide.

Helpful information

Timing: Autumn

Where to do it: Outdoors

Garden space: Large garden, small garden (if you have enough fallen leaves)

  • Raking leaves into piles and gathering to create leaf mould provides good physical exercise, building strength and burning calories
  • Enjoy the rapid difference you can make to how your garden looks when clearing leaves
  • Creating leaf mould is a great excuse to get into nature on a crisp autumn day, experiencing the sights and sounds of the natural world around
Autumn leaves in compost bins Pixabay
Autumn leaves in compost bins

Leaf mould is a great way to use the astounding amounts of nutrients stored in leaves. Once created, you will have an incredibly good textured nutrient-rich compost.

Compost made from leaf mould can be used in many ways in the garden:

  • Use when adding new plants to support early plant growth
  • Mix with other soil-based composts to create a general soil improver for your beds, borders and containers
  • Combine with general gardening compost and some sand or perlite to create seed sowing compost

My favourite activity to do in the garden is … all of them! Planting, harvesting, raking leaves in the autumn … it's fun!

Katy, client gardener
A large pile of autumn leaves
A large pile of autumn leaves

Depending on how much space you have in your garden, there are different ways you can create leaf mould.

1. Using bin bags

If you have a smaller garden, or don't have lots of leaves, you can create leaf mould in black bin bags.

Ideally, shred the leaves first. You can do this by running a lawnmower across them while they are on the lawn.

Collect all the leaves and put in the bin bags. Create lots of small holes in the bags so air can get in. Then, leave the bags somewhere undisturbed in the garden.

If you shredded the leaves first, you should have a useable leaf mould by the next summer. If you put them in whole, it may take a little longer.

2. Using a compost bin

If you have a spare compost bin, you can store leaves in this to make leaf mould. Bear in mind the leaves will sit undisturbed for a least a year and maybe two - so you don't want to use the same bin that also gets your regular compost waste!

If you don't have a spare bin, you could create your own. A chicken wire compost bin is a good option, as it allows plenty of air to circulate. Compost bins made from wooden pallets will also work well.

As with bin bags, if you shred the leaves first they will decompose quicker. If you have larger quantities of leaves, it can take a bit longer to produce a luxurious texture and nutrient-rich material. Like so many things, patience is a virtue when it comes to leaf mould!

Make it easier

If you have the collecting bag on your lawn mower, you can shred and collect the leaves with less bending. Alternatively, using leaf grabbers may make picking up leaves easier.

Take your time, as this can be quite energetic work. You don't have to clear and bag / bin all the leaves at once. Doing a little once or a few times a week will make it easier and give you a reason to get outside.

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