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When do you add leaf mould?

AdRockAdRock Posts: 241
in Tools and techniques
I have some year old leaf mould that I was going to add in late Autumn. I guess it's too warm to add any compost of any sort now?

Does anyone else add leafmould in Autumn or is it best to wait until Spring?


Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    What are you adding it to?  Leaf mould for me takes about three years(mainlu oak leaves) It is then crumbly like fine peat. I use it to top dress around the Roscoeas in Spring, after a sprinkle of fertiliser. If you have loads, hellebores and camellias will like it too. Make sure the ground is wet before you put it on.
  • AdRockAdRock Posts: 241
    I’ll be adding it to a shady wooded area with hellebores, ferns and Solomon’s seal but wasn’t sure whether to add in autumn or spring. I also have some Camellias in pots. 

    it looks like this at the moment 


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've added leaf mould to borders when it's looked like that, with no issue.
    Ideally, you wait for it to be really broken down, so that's it's a fine crumbly texture, as @fidgetbones says, but for using in the way you want, it'll be fine. You can really add it at any time, and it'll continue breaking down   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    That looks like my compost after first cook. I then turn it into another bin and it heats up again. Third time it gets mixed with rock dust and the worms move in.  Then I use it on the garden. I had a builders bag of leaves and grass mix that was mown up last year that had got to that stage. I mix it up again with fresh grass to get it heating up faster. Pure leaf mould gets left for three years.
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