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Mulching with freshly fallen leaves.

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  • #1

    Mulching with freshly fallen leaves.

    One of my veg beds should have a green manure in it which has failed to do very much but as I have huge quantities of leaves this year I was thinking about just dumping them on the bed to protect it.

    They are mostly oak, so won't be broken down in time for using the bed - leeks next year - so will have to be removed and some compost dug in.

    Any reasons why this is a bad plan?

    We don't get much wind here so they are unlikely to blow around too much and I already have lots of sacks of leaves.

    Thanks
    Le Sarramea https://jgsgardening.blogspot.com/
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  • #2
    the idea of green manuring is that you use it to improve the structure and fertility of the soil by digging it in. If you cover it with your leaves, you will cause it to rot and it will undoubtedly be removed along with the leaves when you move them later. I would dig it in and dig in some of the leaves at the same time.
    Last edited by Aberdeenplotter; 28-11-2012, 11:47 AM.

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    • #3
      I was too vague! There's no more than one or two clover plants, so I'm looking to not have bare soil over the winter. Last year I used cardboard or plastic which harboured loads of slugs. At least the birds could pick through the leaves.
      Le Sarramea https://jgsgardening.blogspot.com/

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      • #4
        I always cover my plots over in November with freshly fallen leaves, then dig them in during mid February. I have never had any problems, and the birds (and chickens) love scratching through them over the winter to remove the pests. Also saves heaving the leaves around twice through the year.

        Andrew

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        • #5
          I spread leaves over flower beds, and they always rot down before spring.
          All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
          Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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          • #6
            thankz for the question and answers peeps,thats another thing solved for me
            sigpicAnother nutter ,wife,mother, nan and nanan,love my growing places,seed collection and sharing,also one of these

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            • #7
              oak and beech leaves take a dickens of a long time to compost down if left uncovered on the surface

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              • #8
                PP is going to rake them off in the spring and add some compost so it's all good.

                It's what happens in nature after all.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Aberdeenplotter View Post
                  improve the structure and fertility of the soil by digging it in.
                  Originally posted by frogga View Post
                  dig them in during mid February.
                  No, no and thrice no !

                  No need to dig it in, that is. Just chop roughly (everything) and leave on the surface. The worms will pull down what they want and aerate the soil as they go.

                  Originally posted by zazen999 View Post
                  PP is going to rake them off in the spring
                  Yep, if there are any left by then. I should expect most of them to have been pulled under the surface, just like happens in forests.
                  All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                  • #10
                    You're so right. I'm always amazed at the amount of leaves I find upended, and half submerged. Even in really quite dense soil. Clever things, Worms!
                    All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
                    Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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                    • #11
                      Thanks all, although I suspect most'll get raked off as the oak leaves take at least a year to break down even bagged. Two beds covered today
                      Le Sarramea https://jgsgardening.blogspot.com/

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                      • #12
                        worms won't pull mine down. I have a problem with New Zealand Flatworm as a result of which I have no earthworms

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Glutton4... View Post
                          I'm always amazed at the amount of leaves I find upended, and half submerged.
                          I'm going to make one of these in Garden Club, to show the kids how the worms do it

                          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Aberdeenplotter View Post
                            worms won't pull mine down. I have a problem with New Zealand Flatworm as a result of which I have no earthworms
                            I wonder about these critters round my way. My soil is hardly teaming with earthworms and I keep finding the flatworms hanging out near the compost heap. However I've only ever once found once in the plots, so don't know if the poor earthworm numbers are because they're being flatwormed or because my soil isn't good enough for a big population.
                            Garden Grower
                            Twitter: @JacobMHowe

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                            • #15
                              If you are finding flatworm,the chances are you will still have some earthworms and when the earthworms are all gone the flatworm population will diminish also. To reduce the flatworm population put a shovelful of soil in a carrier bag and set it down on the ground. Check regularly under the bag and pick off any flatworm. Prof Boag of Dundee University recommends immersing them in boiling water to kill them. I have found that neat J***S fluid kills them immediately.

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