Leaf mold improving soil

Organic gardening methods can cut your costs. Making compost and leaf mold, for example, can eliminate the need to purchase soil Improvers and fertilizers, and you can save considerable amounts of money on organic produce by growing your own. 

Two-year-old leaf mold is much finer and can be used as soil improver, in a topdressing mixture for lawns, or as an ingredient in potting mix for container plants. 

Leaf mold can generally be used as a low-fertility soil improver (seepp.34-35) and a moisture-retaining mulch after one year. It should be darker and more crumbly than the newly fallen leaves, but does not have to be fully rotted. For a finer product, for use in seed and potting mixes or as a topdressing for... 

A low-fertility soil improver such as leaf mold can be incorporated as the bed is dug initially. This deep cultivation is useful where the soil is compacted. It results in a deep, fertile zone with an open, free-draining structure into which roots can easily penetrate. Medium- to high-fertility materials, if required, should only be mixed into the top 6-8 in (15-20 cm). Increases in yield are noticeable and plants cope better in drought. Make the edging at least 6 in (15 cm) high as the soil level will rise considerably. 

Leaf mold and other low-fertility soil improvers these are beneficial preceding root crops. Apply anywhere as a mulch to improve structure, especially over winter. 

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