Renata, freecycle is a local bases site where folk can offer stuff they want rid of , and ask for stuff other folk might want rid of.
No money changes hands. I've had my shredder, a garden sieve and have given away greenhouse glass. I just missed out on someone giving away a garden rotovator. grr.
Wow Hostafan ... going to look into Freecycle ..... here is a pic of my 'new' (made from old fence panels) leaf mold enclosure .... when it's totally full will put a door on. Going to use a strimmer and a tall bin to shred the leaves .... that Fred guy recommended this method ...
Keep trying to upload my photo but nothing happening yet ....
A very good question you asked, Renata, and one which does not have an easy answer. As far as I know and judging from this forum members' answers so far, there exists no such a thing as a reliable dedicated tree-leaves shredder.
I myself once contemplated using an office shredder, but a) you would need to use only very dry leaves and b) it might ruin the office shredder and then you'd be in trouble at work.
Ordinary garden shredders are primarily meant for branches & twigs, and I agree with Fred's advice "do not use them for leaves".
Lawn mowers again have not been constructed to shred dead leaves but to mow the grass, and will usually not do a good job with leaf-shredding.
FRED-IN-THE-SHED writes "I personally think that shredding leaves is a waste of time and a better way of managing them is to let them rot down in a dedicated heap, container , or in bio-degradable jute sacks." I beg to disagree. Un-shredded leaves take ages to rot down; shredded leaves rot much faster. Especially leaves of trees such oaks, which are quite resistant.
From my own experience there is one mistake that I advise not to make. DO NOT mulch your plant borders directly with whole dead leaves (esp. oak ones). They will behave as bits of plastic. Really!
My own solution for shredding dead leaves is to put a small quantity at a time in a pail/bucket and chop them with a pair of garden shears.On dry dead leaves of oak-trees it works fine, but of course is energy and time-consuming, so I only do a little at a time. What do I do with the shredded leaves? Either drop them into my compost bin where they contribute to the "brown" ingredient to balance the mostly "green" ingredients that go there OR go to mulch my mixed borders. A LITTLE AT A TIME, never in large quantities.
a1154 2 days ago at 11:31 "I dunno if i can mention a different gardening magazine? (Tut tut for buying it) but the latest issue has a feature on shredders." What's wrong in mentioning different sources, I wonder? Which magazine is it, which issue and which page(s)?
Pete8 2 days ago at 08:55 "I've got an old Black & Decker leaf sucker/shredder. It sucks the leaves up, shreds them and then they go into a bag. The shredded leaves are bulkier than the non-shredded leaves." I beg to disagree, shredded leaves take up LESS space than non-shredded ones.
Hello, its Garden Answers november 2016 pages 96-99. I wouldnt say its an in depth article, just showing what is available at what price, and advising what features to look out for, depending on your garden size etc.
Hi the worx shredder is not avaible in Europe due to safety regs any of the similar products ie sun Joe probably not available for this reason .Got this information from Worx UK.This is a pity as it looks like the worx machine is the ideal solution . Garden shredders don't work on leaves clogging frequently.strimmer in a bin does work .Hope this helps
I just leave mine in a pile in a wire cage (and home grown weaved willow enclosure) or leave them in a pile for longer if needs be! I also spread loads on my beds and eventually mulch over the top. I gave up trying to find a leaf shredder. I don't own a mower.
Posts
I'm sure he'll respond Renata, I've found him very helpful
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Renata, freecycle is a local bases site where folk can offer stuff they want rid of , and ask for stuff other folk might want rid of.
No money changes hands. I've had my shredder, a garden sieve and have given away greenhouse glass. I just missed out on someone giving away a garden rotovator. grr.
Google it.
I also had a stunning white water lily from freecycle.
I have a leaf blower. It is just too big for me to manage. I am in south Cheshire.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Wow Hostafan ... going to look into Freecycle ..... here is a pic of my 'new' (made from old fence panels) leaf mold enclosure .... when it's totally full will put a door on. Going to use a strimmer and a tall bin to shred the leaves .... that Fred guy recommended this method ...
Keep trying to upload my photo but nothing happening yet ....
Renata I thought Fred said don't do it!!!
"Where can I find a leaf shredder?"
A very good question you asked, Renata, and one which does not have an easy answer. As far as I know and judging from this forum members' answers so far, there exists no such a thing as a reliable dedicated tree-leaves shredder.
I myself once contemplated using an office shredder, but a) you would need to use only very dry leaves and b) it might ruin the office shredder and then you'd be in trouble at work.
Ordinary garden shredders are primarily meant for branches & twigs, and I agree with Fred's advice "do not use them for leaves".
Lawn mowers again have not been constructed to shred dead leaves but to mow the grass, and will usually not do a good job with leaf-shredding.
FRED-IN-THE-SHED writes "I personally think that shredding leaves is a waste of time and a better way of managing them is to let them rot down in a dedicated heap, container , or in bio-degradable jute sacks." I beg to disagree. Un-shredded leaves take ages to rot down; shredded leaves rot much faster. Especially leaves of trees such oaks, which are quite resistant.
From my own experience there is one mistake that I advise not to make. DO NOT mulch your plant borders directly with whole dead leaves (esp. oak ones). They will behave as bits of plastic. Really!
My own solution for shredding dead leaves is to put a small quantity at a time in a pail/bucket and chop them with a pair of garden shears.On dry dead leaves of oak-trees it works fine, but of course is energy and time-consuming, so I only do a little at a time. What do I do with the shredded leaves? Either drop them into my compost bin where they contribute to the "brown" ingredient to balance the mostly "green" ingredients that go there OR go to mulch my mixed borders. A LITTLE AT A TIME, never in large quantities.
a1154 2 days ago at 11:31 "I dunno if i can mention a different gardening magazine? (Tut tut for buying it) but the latest issue has a feature on shredders." What's wrong in mentioning different sources, I wonder? Which magazine is it, which issue and which page(s)?
Pete8 2 days ago at 08:55 "I've got an old Black & Decker leaf sucker/shredder. It sucks the leaves up, shreds them and then they go into a bag. The shredded leaves are bulkier than the non-shredded leaves." I beg to disagree, shredded leaves take up LESS space than non-shredded ones.
Hello, its Garden Answers november 2016 pages 96-99. I wouldnt say its an in depth article, just showing what is available at what price, and advising what features to look out for, depending on your garden size etc.