What leafs should I use in a leaf mold pile?

Chris Mason · October 2015

What leafs should I use in a leaf mold pile? This is going to be my first attempt at making leaf mold so I want todo it properly. I plan on using oak, birch, hazel And alder. Would this make some nice stuff after a few years under the correct conditions? + I was also told oak is quite a poor leaf to use as it takes a while to break down and has less nutrients than other leafs.... Is this true? Thank you'd

Fairygirl · October 2015

Never heard that about oak - I've always just bunged all deciduous leaves into the pile. Keeping it moist will help it break down so make sure you water the pile in a dry spell. You can shred the leaves first to make the process quicker too Chris, which is also useful if you have lots as it takes up less space. You can put them on the grass and go over them with a lawn mower if they don't have a shredder. Turn them now and again as well and you should have a decent product next year, or the year after if the conditions aren't so good

Dovefromabove · October 2015

We have ash trees in the garden so we make our leafmould from ash leaves - possibly not the best, but it's what we have

Fairygirl · October 2015

I had mainly sycamore at a previous house Jo. I used a wire container, then black bags because the trees got bigger - so more leaves! I found the ones in the bags rotted much more quickly. My wire box got plenty of rain, so it wasn't that they were too dry. I didn't shred them or do anything different to each load. More heat in the bagged ones I think.

Fairygirl · October 2015

No - they were wet going in and they stayed wet Jo. Yours should too where you are - similar weather to me!

I just poked holes in the bags and shoved them in a corner. They were usable after a year though not completely broken down. Surprisingly quick.

Hostafan1 · October 2015

the only leaves I'm not keen on are sweet chestnut. They're like leather by the time they hit the ground.

What leafs should I use in a leaf mold pile?

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