How to use fall leaves in the garden

Every year the fall season presents us with a gift we can put to good use to improve our garden beds. Autumn leaves are packed with organic matter and nutrients that can serve as a natural soil amendment and mulch. Improving your garden soil is something that needs to happen on an ongoing basis. Continuous improvement is the way to ensure soil health, structure and fertility, all of which lead to improved crop yields. Good things happen when you add organic material to your garden soils on a regular basis. Clay soils become more workable, sandy soils retain water more effectively, earth worm populations go up, microbial activity increases and the overall health and balance of your soil improves. The result is better plant nutrient uptake and improved tomato and vegetable yields, next season.

 An easy way to put fall leaves to work is to rake them up and scatter them across the surface of your garden, then cover them with organic Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost.  Through the course of the winter, the leaves will break down and merge with the compost. Come spring, use your garden fork to work the resultant rich compost into your garden's soil. 

Another option would be to incorporate the leaf material into the garden now. To speed up the composting process, use your mower or leaf blower attachment to shred the leaves. The resulting smaller pieces will breakdown faster in your garden. Add organic Earth Essentials Sheep, Peat and Compost, then dig in five to six inches.  

Autumn leaves can be used to mulch perennials. Mulching will help keep the ground stable and retain moisture. Mulching perennials should be done after the ground is cold, usually around Thanksgiving.  Now's the time to put those beautiful fall leaves to work. You'll have a healthier, more productive garden next season.