What is leaf mulch?
When shredded leaves decay, they turn into a mulchy substance known as leaf mulch (or sometimes leaf mold) that is absorbed into the soil and adds vital nutrients back into it. In this way, it’s an all-natural fertilizer. Some people create piles of leaf mulch that they then apply to plant pots or vegetable beds, however here we show you how to use leaf mulch for lawn usage which means adding it directly to a lawn.
How to use leaf mulch for lawn fertilizer
- Create a pile After using a rake or leaf blower, group together your fallen leaves to form the base of your leaf mulch.
- Start shredding Shred the pile of leaves as finely as possible. Our expert suggests using a lawnmower as a quick and efficient way to shred the leaves.
- Scatter the mulch Distribute the leaf mulch thinly over your lawn. A depth of approximately 10cm should be more than enough to enrich the soil beneath and improve next season’s grass growth. You can use a leaf blower to spread the mulch around the lawn evenly.
- Let the mulch do the work! From here the leaves will ‘mulch’ into the ground as they biodegrade for the next several months, hence the name. This will revitalize the soil, giving the grass more nutrients to flourish.
Will this suffocate my grass?
One big myth around leaf mulch is that it will suffocate a lawn and kill the grass. The key to preventing this is ensuring that the mulch is shredded very finely and that the layer of mulch is not applied too thickly. This is why leaves that are allowed to fall onto a lawn freely can kill the grass underneath but a moderate amount of mulch does not. Discover more guides for the garden… Best pressure washers (opens in new tab) Best snow blowers (opens in new tab) Best chainsaws (opens in new tab) Best patio heaters (opens in new tab) Best inflatable hot tubs (opens in new tab)
