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Mulch 'lasagne'

Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
in Problem solving
I have an Acer tree in the centre of one of my flower beds so you can imagine the leaves that are dropping on the bed at the moment. I would prefer to leave the leaves to rot naturally over Winter since I believe that Acer leaves do break down quite quickly.
Do you think there would be any harm in putting compost mulch over the top of the leaves to form a sort of mulch lasagne? Are the worms capable of working that sort of mulch into the soil?
I would make sure that the crowns of any herbaceous plants and shrubs in the bed were cleared of leaves and compost of course.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Yes that should be fine.
    I have several acers and have been doing do exactly that for years :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Pete.8 said:
    Yes that should be fine.
    I have several acers and have been doing do exactly that for years :)
    That's great to know that someone has done this successfully. I would imagine that waiting for the leaves to fall and then topping with  home made compost would help the leaves to break down due to the extra warmth offered by the top layer. It additionally traps the leaves in place and prevents them blowing away.
    Thank you Pete.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Home made compost is ideal as it's not rich in nutrients, but full of life and organic matter that is great for the soil - which means it'll be great for your acer :)
    The only compost to avoid is mushroom compost as it can be rather alkaline.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Pete.8 said:
    The only compost to avoid is mushroom compost as it can be rather alkaline.
    Yes, and of course I want to preserve our acid soil which the Acer's grow so well in! I have raised the crown of the Acer tree (which used to be an Acer shrub until I let it have it's head😊) so there are plenty of shade loving perennials planted in the bed as well.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree - no problem.
    However, I'll dispel again this myth that Acers need acidic soil. They don't. You'd have to be adding huge amounts of chicken manure/mushroom compost on a very regular basis to alter the soil pH anyway, and as long as the soil isn't at the alkaline end of neutral, it's fine for Acers  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    Noted Fairygirl. 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I think it is a beautiful sight when red acer leaves  fall to the ground it makes a lovely carpet one of the glorys of autumn. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367
    GardenerSuze said:
    I think it is a beautiful sight when red acer leaves  fall to the ground it makes a lovely carpet one of the glorys of autumn. 
    I couldn't agree more. My leaves are yellow but still beautiful.
    I have no intention of covering them with compost until they are all off.
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