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Leafmould is formed from decaying leaves and according to the Royal Horticultural Society, is an “invaluable soil conditioner”. Resilient gardening expert, Kim Stoddart, told Express.co.uk: “You just need to collect fallen leaves and create a few piles in and around your outside space. You don’t need a dedicated bin or bag, as deeper, denser piles will often take longer to transform into leafmould.
“Instead try and create shallower piles in shady spots, under trees or in corners with protection from strong winds.
“Ideally your piles should be touching the soil as this way (as with your compost pile) creatures in the soil (such as earthworms) can lend a helping hand transforming your leafmould to be.
“Just leave the piles alone and then come spring brush off the top layer and you will find some leafould to work with down below. Magic.
“The remaining leaves can be left where they are to continue to break down, or added to your compost heap as a brown material, but you will be able to access some free material come spring which can be used in myriad of exciting ways.”
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Kim said it can be used at any time of the year around the garden, helping to boost soil structure and microbial activity in the soil.
The expert continued: “It will enable the ground to hold and retain water which is a great resilient plus.
“Given the drought this year, more gardeners than ever have become aware of the many benefits of applying a protective mulch onto soil to help keep moisture in the ground.
“Leafmould is a brilliant mulch for water hungry plants which will help reduce the amount of watering you need to do no end.
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“Just water deeply first then apply your mulch. It is great for plants in pots also.”
According to Kim, another “fantastic” benefit to leafmould is that it can be used to germinate seeds.
She explained: “Although there are often very exacting instructions with lots of percentages about what should be added to make seed compost for free, the truth of the matter is 100 percent leafmould works perfectly well.”
The resilient gardener has used this for many years and said weed seeds can be easily pulled out if they do occur.
Kim will also be returning to leafmould as a main source of seed compost next spring with gusto.
The expert noted: “As well as saving money on my gardening, homemade materials like this are highly effective and feel incredibly good to make.
“They mean I’m not reliant on buying everything in and that no matter what is happening in the world, it’s in my control to just go and harvest some leafmould as and when I need it from under the trees. It’s truly priceless.”
Kim has been writing about climate change and resilience since 2013 and helps people grow delicious fruit and vegetables naturally, with less time and money overall.
She runs lots of courses including online to help people grow food at home all year round, including inside on the windowsill over winter.
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