What have you done today in the Garden?

I was sure most of the leaves have usually fallen by now, and that in December the trees are bare, but they're hanging on this year. We wonder if the weather conditions are responsible for this. We're still waiting to bag up for making leafmould. ??

 

@Tetters, how long does it take for your bagged leaves to become leaf mould? Do you chop or leave them whole? Do you cut holes in the bags?

This year is my first time trying that method. I still have areas in need of a thick layer of leaf mulch, but those are almost completed. Most years, I mulch the raised beds with a layer of leaves that decompose partly, then mix them into the soil in Spring. This winter I have a cover crop, so I can't do that. Instead, I want to add leaf mould in Spring or later if necessary.

 

@Daniel W , I think I will ask Zigs to answer that for you as he is the leaf mould champion in this household. I know it' s a longish process ...he said he'd write something in a minute OK.

 

Takes at least a year Daniel, slightly quicker if you chop them up, but not much.

Just pack them wet into dumpy bags, keep them damp and cover with a bit of old carpet or something.

I've done a video on composting and leaf mold if you'd like to see it, I can dig it out tomorrow

 

Dry and not too cold, so spent three hours in the garden today.

I stripped and part pruned, this cascading wisteria.









Clearing the leaves took as long. I also emptied and cleaned out the fountain. Then remembered to turn off its power supply in the garage, in case I accidentally turn it on from its switch, behind the lounge curtains.
Took the sixteen ceramic pots on both patios off their pot movers and removed all the dead leaves in them. I scraped the moss out of the gaps between the flags while I had the chance.





Then tackled the wisteria between the summerhouse and the shed. It tries every year to grow out over the path, so I have to keep tying it back close to the fence. Otherwise, none of the plants in this bed get much sun. The hebes on the path will go back in the two troughs on the other patio, in March.




This involves increasing the tension on the individual wires that hold the lateral wires between the concrete posts.
Although they are very strong wires, they can stretch a bit over time and it'd be impossible to tighten them by hand.
But, as they are attached to strong screw eyes in the concrete posts. It's easy enough to get a screwdriver in an eye and give it a turn or two to tighten the wire. Doesn't look as if I've done much here, but I have.






I also removed three branch heads that were impossible to move, but it doesn't notice as I spaced others out.





I'll probably strip the wisteria on the pergola over the French windows next week, if it's not too cold. The leaves are rapidly changing to yellow.

 

Looking good there, Riley.
My Wist is still full of leaves.

 

Today was a volunteer day, but I did manage to haul another truckload of leaves.

 

Looks like you can’t leaf those freebee’s alone, aye?

 

Far too cold to do any gardening this morning. The ground was white with frost, so I went and played golf instead.

 

Riley, I don’t know if you meant it as humour, but I found that statement of yours funny.

 

Some of it now is I had promised the tree owners I would haul away their leaves. So I don't want to back out now. I don't need more now, but if I say I'll do something, I will do it. Plus, they will all be put to good use. It's a big garden and orchard.

 

Well, you are too right about that. They are always good to have around. They are so good that if I need to I would get rid of something to make room for more leaves.
One of my compost bins is full and the other one is almost full—one more bag, and that’s it. There will be more leaves to come, but I will bag and store them.

I see what you mean about keeping your word. That is honourable.

 

I agree. Plus, unlike commercial composts, they are unlikely to contain any herbicides or antibiotics. Steer manures probably contain both, and with commercial compost you just never know. Steer manures also may contain sawdust bedding - ok, except it can sequester nitrogen while it's decomposing, so might need to age.

I think the soil needs to be nurtured with diverse materials to keep it healthy and grow a healthy garden. Tree leaves provide a lot of good organic matter, for excellent tilth. i add other things too, but the leaves are a major part of my garden method.

Here there are newspaper articles encouraging people to use tree leaves in their gardens, but not many do.

 

I absolutely agree with you, mr D.
The folks on our garden complex do not do anything with leaves, and so they are not familiar with leaf mould. A pity, that.

 

Thanks @Zigs for sharing your experience!
I think that answers my question. The compost video might be interesting, but you probably told me what I need to know! Thanks!