Autumn leaves can feel like a never-ending garden job. But instead of bagging them up and getting rid of them, you can turn them into something useful.
Leaf mould is made as fallen leaves slowly break down. It can be used as a mulch or soil improver. It is also a simple way to make use of garden waste.
October is a great time to start, as trees begin to drop more of their leaves. The RHS also recommends building a simple post and wire leaf pen at this time of year.
A basic leaf mould bay is easy to build. You only need a few timber posts, some wire netting, staples and simple hand tools.
Why make leaf mould?
Leaf mould is different from normal garden compost. It is made mainly from fallen leaves, which break down in damp conditions through a slow, natural process.
Once ready, it can help improve the structure of your soil. It also helps soil hold water and makes a useful mulch for beds and borders.
It is a great way to deal with a large pile of autumn leaves without throwing them away.
What you will need
For a simple square leaf mould bay, you will need:
- Four Square Sawn Posts
- A 10m Roll of Wire Netting
- Galvanised Staples
- An Irwin Handsaw
- A hammer
- A tape measure
- A spade or post hole tool
You can make your bay as large or small as you need. A simple square shape works well for most gardens.
Step 1: Choose the right spot
Pick a quiet part of the garden where the bay can stay in place for a year or more.
A sheltered spot is best. It will help stop dry leaves from blowing around before they begin to break down. A little shade can also help the pile stay damp.
Make sure you can still reach the bay with a rake or wheelbarrow. This will make it easier to add leaves through the autumn.
Step 2: Set out the posts
Mark out a square for your bay. Place one timber post at each corner.
Set the posts firmly into the ground so they do not move. The bay does not need to be perfect, but a firm frame will make it much easier to fix the wire.
If your posts need to be shortened, a handsaw should be all you need for a simple job like this.
Step 3: Add the wire netting
Wrap the wire netting around the outside of the four posts.
Pull it firm, but do not worry about making it completely tight. The gaps in the mesh let air reach the leaves as they break down.
Fix the wire to each timber post with galvanised staples. You may also want to leave one side easy to open. This will make it easier to reach the finished leaf mould later.
Step 4: Fill the bay with leaves
Rake up fallen leaves and add them to the bay.
If the leaves are very dry, give them a little water. They should be damp rather than soaked.
Most leaves will break down over time. Oak, beech, birch, hazel and hornbeam are all good choices.
Thick or tough evergreen leaves like holly or laurel can take longer. Shredding them first can help speed things up.
One easy way to do this is to run a lawn mower over the leaves before adding them to your bay.
Step 5: Leave nature to do the work
One of the best things about leaf mould is that it needs very little care.
Unlike a normal compost heap, there is no need for regular turning. Keep the leaves damp and let them break down at their own pace.
After around a year, you should have a coarse leaf mould that can be used as mulch.
Leave it for longer and it will become finer and more soil-like.
How to use leaf mould
Spread leaf mould over beds and borders to help protect the soil and hold in moisture.
You can also mix well-rotted leaf mould into your soil as a conditioner. Finer leaf mould can be added to homemade potting mixes.
It is a simple way to turn something you already have into a useful material for your garden.
A simple autumn garden project
A leaf mould bay is a small project that can pay off for years. Once the frame is built, you can keep filling it each autumn and let nature do the rest.
At Woodford Forest and Landscape, we stock the timber, wire, fixings and tools you need to build your own leaf mould bay.
Visit our timber yard near Salisbury or get in touch with our team if you need help choosing the right materials for your project.