Fall Garden Gold! How to Shred Fallen Leaves for Mulch
Y'all, I do the silliest things sometimes. Last year, I collected a ton of leaves. I volun-told my husband to drive around town with me and look for bagged leaves on the side of the street. I'd ask the homeowner permission for the leaves, and they usually said yes. I had one person tell me they take them to a box turtle habitat...which is cool too, but most were destined for the landfill. Being an environmentally conscious person, I felt like Wonder Woman saving these leaves. We hauled them out to the peony field dumped them on top of the rows and by the next day, 75% or more had blown away. 😂 I owed my husband big time!!!! I had put a lot of time and effort into gathering this free organic matter, but I made a major mistake. I didn't mulch the whole leaves! 🤦♀️ So as the season changes and deciduous trees shed their leaves, it's time to think about turning those piles of fallen leaves into garden gold and not make the same mistake that I did! Rather than bagging them up or letting them smother your lawn, shredded leaves can become a highly effective, sustainable way to mulch your garden beds, flower beds, and even vegetable gardens. By shredding leaves, you're creating an organic material rich in valuable nutrients, helping to improve your soil’s structure and retain moisture. In this post, I'll show you the best way to shred leaves for mulch and even how to make leaf mold—a gardener's secret weapon.
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Collect Leaves
As autumn leaves begin to pile up, you're looking at an abundant resource for your garden. Deciduous trees like oaks, maples, and others drop tons of leaves that, when shredded, break down into organic matter that enriches your soil. Instead of viewing them as yard waste, think of fall leaves as a high-quality mulch that’s right at your doorstep, thanks to Mother Nature!
Tools for Shredding Leaves
To make leaf shredding easy, you'll need the right tools. Here are some great options I recommend, including a couple I personally use on my flower farm.
1. Ego Mulching Push Mower
I love my Ego push mower for cutting pathways around my farm, and it's perfect for shredding leaves too. This mower has a mulching blade, making it a sustainable option due to its battery operation. While I have an older model, I plan to upgrade to a multi-blade version for even more shredding power!
2. WORX Electric Leaf Mulcher
Though I haven't used this particular machine, it's highly recommended by other gardeners and professionals I trust. Paired with a pop-up reusable bag, it’s great for collecting shredded leaves without a mess. I use pop-up bags for cleaning up around my garden beds, and they make transporting leaves to the compost pile super easy.
3. Leaf Vacuum for Smaller Yards
If you're working in a smaller yard, this leaf vacuum can save you time and energy. Keep in mind that it requires a cord, so it may not be ideal for larger spaces. But for suburban gardeners, it’s a good idea to make leaf collection easier.
Mulching Leaves on a Budget
Don’t want to invest in yet another tool. You can mulch leaves by placing them in a trashcan and them using a weed eater to crunch them up into smaller pieces.
How to Shred Leaves: A Step-by-Step Guide
Gather Your Leaves: Dry, fallen leaves work best for shredding. Wet leaves tend to clump together, making it more difficult to shred them into smaller pieces.
Choose Your Tool: Whether you're using a lawn mower, leaf shredder, or even a mulching mower, the goal is to chop the leaves into smaller pieces.
Shred the Leaves: Simply run over the big pile of leaves with your lawn mower or feed them into a leaf shredder. You'll be left with chopped leaves that are much easier to spread as mulch.
Add Grass Clippings (Optional): If you’ve got grass clippings leftover from mowing, mix them in with your shredded leaves. This will add even more organic material to your mulch.
Applying Shredded Leaves as Mulch
Once you've got your leaves shredded, it's time to spread them in your garden! Here's how to use them for the best results:
In Garden Beds and Flower Beds: Spread a thick layer (about a couple of inches) of shredded leaves over the soil surface. This will help retain moisture and prevent soil erosion.
In Vegetable Gardens: Shredded leaves act as a great mulch for vegetable beds, adding organic matter to boost plant growth.
Perennial Beds: The leaves will decompose slowly, releasing valuable nutrients back into the soil as they break down.
Shredded leaves are an inexpensive mulch that rivals more expensive alternatives like wood chips or wood mulch. Plus, they're a sustainable way to keep your garden healthy year-round.
Creating Leaf Mold: The Long-Game Organic Matter
If you're looking to improve the soil structure in your garden beds, setting aside some of your shredded leaves for leaf mold is a great idea. Simply pile the leaves into a compost bin—like this one—and let them slowly decompose over time (about a year). You can also make a cage with chicken wire, hardware cloth, fencing wire, etc. Once broken down, leaf mold is a great addition to vegetable gardens, perennial beds, and even clay soil to help with moisture retention and drainage.
The Environmental Benefits of Using Shredded Leaves and Leaf Mold
Image Credit: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Using shredded leaves as mulch not only benefits your garden but also helps the environment. By recycling leaves instead of sending them to the landfill, you're reducing waste and minimizing your carbon footprint. Did you know that leaves make up a significant portion of municipal waste during the fall? Instead of being trucked away and burned or composted elsewhere, keeping the leaves on your property is an easy, eco-friendly solution.
Plus, as the leaves decompose, they act as a natural soil additive, improving your garden's ability to hold moisture and preventing the need for excessive watering. Leaf litter mulch also helps insulate the soil, protecting plant roots from temperature extremes during seasonal changes.
Another bonus? Shredded leaves provide habitat for beneficial insects, like ground beetles and spiders, that contribute to a balanced ecosystem. By using organic mulch from leaves, you're fostering a healthy environment for pollinators and soil organisms. It’s a win-win for both your garden and Mother Nature!
There you have it—your guide to turning fall leaves into effective mulch and creating garden gold from the trees in your yard. By using shredded leaves as mulch or letting them break down into leaf mold, you’re improving your soil’s health, saving money, and making the most of what nature provides. So grab your tools, shred those leaves, and give your garden a treat this fall!
Happy mulching, and keep blooming!
-Nicole Dillon
Breemar Flower Farm | Founder of Your Garden Pathway
Ashland, VA | Zone 7b
