In cities we spend huge amounts of human and fossil energy raking, blowing and carting them off – not to mention the thousands of plastic bags used to hold them.
In the country we tend to simply let them fall and ignore them.
But the millions of leaves that fall from our broadleaf trees each year represent a bounteous harvest far too few people ever realize. How about you?
Dead Leaves for Feed and Bedding
Do you have sheep, goats or small animals? Do you pay good money for hay and bedding material? And do you have hardwood trees on your property? If so, you may have overlooked a plentiful and inexpensive source of bedding and winter feed.
Aspen and other leaves have been used to bed down animals for centuries. While not as absorbent as straw or shavings, the price is right and collection is usually a snap. The leaves are also easily composted along with manure for a highly nutritious additive to your garden soil.
Dry leaves can also be used like hay as a winter staple for certain animals, such as sheep and rabbits. Just be sure to exercise proper caution: certain species, like black walnut and cherry, contain toxins in their leaves. Be sure to check with a veterinarian to be sure your tree species are compatible with your animals.
Digging Dry Leaves
Dead leaves are also great for your garden. Dig them into the soil in fall or spring to enrich your garden and make your soil loose and friable. And a layer of leaves (shredded or whole) makes great mulch. Again, be careful of the species you use, especially walnut or anything aromatic. For a good lazy man’s mulch for garden beds, just blow the leaves off your yard and onto the beds.
You can also use dry leaves as a carbon-rich element in your compost pile. They’re especially great for urban gardeners to layer in with kitchen scraps. And if you’re into worm composting, shredded leaves make excellent bedding for the wriggly little critters! If you also have grass clippings, mix them in with the leaves for a nitrogen boost.
Next time you’re faced with the prospect of raking up a bunch of leaves, don’t just sigh and resign yourself to the work. Think of it as a bonus, and enjoy the harvest!
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Thanks a lot for the novel Idea. In india generally we burn these dry leaves . It really pains me to see the leaves burning a leaving the geen house gases adn adding more heat to global warming. There should be some awareness campaign the make the best use of the dry leaves .
At the end of winter and begining of spring (Feb- March ) allmost all trees shed the old leaves.
I hope some day the media will help to propagate this message .
in our college plenty of leaves fall every day .what could be the beat use of it:
can i ask what are the nutrients that are composed of a dried leaves