My Leaf Mould

So in November 2015 - I collected some leaves from my sister's garden and now - 1.5 years later and I have some very fluffy, soft, light leaf mould

It's been really rewarding, especially after a year when it still looks like leaves.. but it's finally looking like I could sow seeds with it.

The photo is from May - so it's even finer than this right now.

 

Nice one Kyle Good lookin stuff

 

Excellent Kyle I make my own too but not as good as yours. My aim is to be more diligent with turning the heap more often. A third bin is on my to do list

 

Mine's only in a tiny food waste bin, have to keep reminding the parents not to chuck it out!

I don't know when I'll use it. We're (trying) to buy our first house right now, so maybe when I get a garden I'll use it then.

 

My last post was a year ago I got stuck in my leaf mould bin and haven't been able to escape until now.

It's now really fine and soft... I think it will be used next year in the new garden

 

I have massive deciduous trees and therefore it is no surprise that I have huge quantities of leaves which I collect and keep in enormous piles. Unless you are in a huge hurry there is no need at all the turn the heaps. I'd almost need a JCB to turn mine. Leave the heaps uncovered or get the pile very wet and cover if not too huge a pile for at least 2 years preferably 3 and you get gorgeous leaf mould. If only dealing with small amounts you can speed up the process a bit by putting the leaves in black bin liners making sure the leaves are really wet. Tie a knot in the bag to keep in the moisture and hurl somewhere out of the way. In about 18 months you should have some material ready to use. I save a fortune on buying compost/peat using the leaf mould instead. Mine isn't always weed free but it has such a great texture I accept the odd annoying weed!
I wish our local councils would do what they do in certain parts of the USA whereby they collect and leave piles of leaves for the residents to store and use I believe. It is such a waste to burn leaves to my mind.