Processing Leaves

Processing leaving is something I do every year. We don't have big trees, but our neighbors do.

The easiest way to take care of leaves is to mow them up, and mow them up again until they turn into dust. You don't even need to bag the mower. If you like to have good mulch, than bag the leaves. That's what this post is about.

Why take care of them? 

In the city leaves don't just blow away. They get caught in the gutters, and smother the grass. If you live in the country, you may not need to take care of leaves at all. They naturally just blow away.

Processing Leaves in the Fall:

First I rake them into big piles. Remove any sticks you find. I attempted to get some helpers this year. Isaak was so not interested. He did rake up a tiny pile. Then he had a temper tantrum when I sucked up his pile.

Mica on the other hand didn't work too hard at first, but once he got it he worked hard. So hard that he got hot and took off his shirt. Mica's 8, so I guess they can start helping around this age.

I admit this looks silly, but buying a respirator, and goggles that cover yourself is good. It doesn't matter if you have allergies, or not. Breathing in things that we're not supposed to isn't a good idea. You can get one at many hardware, or painting stores. Those white medical masks are only good for 15 minutes.

You can use a mower, or a leaf blower/sucker. I use a leaf blower/sucker just because most of the leaves fall in our driveway. Our neighbor's tree hangs over our driveway; then our neighbor across the street has a big tree as well.

Suck them up until you fill the bag. Then start alternating water and chopped up leaves in a bucket, or empty trash can. This is an important step because if you don't wet the leaves down they will just blow away. They won't stay down if you lay them down, and water them afterwards.

Then I start to lay them around plants, bushes, and trees. Leave a space at the base of the plants, bushes, and trees, so water/snow gets to their roots.

Leaves under the Service Berry is accomplished. Now I have found that the new leaves that fall can be raked, and sucked out. The processed leaves stay put.

Other bushes are done.

I've laid leaves in other ares, but you get the picture. I feel like this is better than going out, and buying more compost, or putting bags and bags of leaves at the curb. I think my neighbors have 12 bags sitting there waiting for the garbage man.

If I run out of spots to put the leaf slop (that's what I call it), I start laying it down on the top layer of the compost pile.