Put fall 's fallen foliage to good use as mulch

Leaves are beginning to sweep across lawns throughout the county, and although they often are seen as a nuisance, they can serve as a great source of mulch.

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Instead of bagging them for trash pickup, homeowners should use the leaves that soon will be creating a canopy of color in area yards for mulch in flower beds and around trees and shrubs.

Contrary to some ways of thinking, leaves can be used as mulch.

In fact, that's the easiest way to use them, County Extension Coordinator Charles Phillips said.

"When using leaves as mulch, you need to have a layer of leaves that is 1 to 2 inches deep," he said. "If the leaves are deeper than this, they will form a mat that will not let water penetrate."

Though commonly disliked by gardeners as a form of mulch, Flower and Garden Magazine recommends using leaves, because they are slow to break down in areas where a long-lasting mulch is desired. The leafy mulch will help to contain weeds and improve the ground in areas where grass is difficult to grow.

Using leaves as mulch in beds is easy. Pile the leaves 1 to 2 inches deep and then top with a thin layer of another type of mulch. Using two types of mulch keeps the leaves from blowing away and camouflages the leaves, which many people find unattractive as mulch.

"By putting another mulch on top of the leaves, you can improve the look of your landscape while getting the benefit of the leaves," said Phillips. "As the leaves breakdown, they add organic matter to the soil which improves the soil and aids the plant by giving the roots a better soil to grow in."

Leaves also can be shredded instead of being used whole. By shredding the leaves, the decomposition period won't be as long. It is estimated that whole leaves might take a year to break down, according to Flower and Garden Magazine .

For a more natural look and one that's good for the lawn, mow over the fallen leaves with a mulching mower and leave them be for a natural feeding. For those who prefer a tidier lawn, mow over the leaves with a mower that has a bag catcher and put the grass clippings and shredded leaves in a compost bin for use next spring.