Turn Fall Leaves into Garden Gold: How to Make Leaf Mould

As the trees shed their autumn leaves, most people see a mess to rake up. But savvy gardeners know those leaves are worth their weight in compost!

If you want a simple, no-fuss way to improve your soil naturally, start making leaf mould this fall.

🍂 What Is Leaf Mould?

Leaf mould is the result of decomposed leaves — a crumbly, dark, earthy material that’s rich in organic matter.

Unlike compost, which relies on bacteria and nitrogen-rich materials to break down, leaf mould is made almost entirely by fungi slowly breaking down leaves.

It doesn’t add a lot of nutrients, but it’s incredible for improving soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial life.

In short: compost feeds your plants, leaf mould feeds your soil.

🪴 Why You Should Make Leaf Mould

1. Moisture retention: Adding leaf mould helps your soil hold water, reducing the need for frequent watering in summer.

2. Soil health: It makes heavy clay lighter and sandy soil more cohesive.

3. Free mulch: Spread it over your beds in spring or fall to protect and enrich the soil.

4. Eco-friendly: It keeps leaves out of landfills and gives them a second life in your garden.

🧺 How to Make Leaf Mould

You only need three things: leaves, moisture, and time.

Step 1: Collect your leaves

Gather dry leaves with a rake or mulching mower. Avoid adding evergreen needles, black walnut, or eucalyptus leaves — they take longer to break down or can affect soil chemistry.

Step 2: Shred them (optional)

Shredding speeds up decomposition. You can run over them with your mower or use a leaf shredder.

Step 3: Store them

Pile the leaves in a wire bin, compost cage, or large garbage bag with holes poked in the sides. Dampen them as you go — they should feel like a wrung-out sponge.

Step 4: Wait

Place your pile or bags in a shady corner and let the fungi do their work. • After 6 months, you’ll have partially rotted leaves — great as mulch. • After 12–18 months, you’ll have dark, crumbly leaf mould ready to mix into garden beds.

🌱 How to Use Leaf Mould

• Mulch: Spread 2–3 inches around your vegetables or perennials to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

• Soil improver: Work it into garden beds in spring before planting.

• Potting mix: Combine with compost and perlite for a rich, moisture-holding seed mix.

🧠 Pro Tip

If you live in a cold region, keep your leaf pile slightly damp and cover it with burlap or a tarp over winter to hold in moisture. The process slows during freezing weather but picks up again in spring.

🍃 Final Thoughts

Leaf mould might take time to form, but it’s one of the easiest and most rewarding soil amendments you can make — and it costs nothing but a bit of patience.

This fall, instead of bagging up those leaves, let them turn into “garden gold” for next year’s crops.

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Catherine
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