Leaf Mold- help please!

Im keen to use the bags of mainly sycamore leaves I collected two- maybe three- autumns ago.

Im unclear as to how fine leaf mold needs to be before use. Most encyclopaedic sites just talk about length of rotting time rather than how crumbly the texture needs to be before application.

The contents of some bags still retain a partial leaf type appearance, while others are definitely more broken down.

 

Sounds OK to me. What do you want to use it for?

 

Mulch and soil conditioner.

Im on London clay and its prone to drying out. The past week without rain and my beds are already looking like an desert riverbed.

 

Condition of the leaf mould won't matter too much for that (if you were wanting to make potting compost then it might be more critical).

If it is still very "leaf-like" then it will tend to blow about, and rob some Nitrogen from the soil to complete the composting / rotting process.

But it it has started to take on a more crumbly appearance I suggest you go ahead and use it :thumb:

 

Cheers Kristen

I appreciate the advice!