Leaves as mulch

[maybeljj]

A friend of mine (who is not organic but who doesn't put any synthetics on his yard either) will be having a bunch of mulched leaves that will be available either to me or to the garbage pickup people. I know that shredded cedar is the best mulch to use, but since I'm on a limited budget, can I get away with using those mulched leaves instead of cedar as my mulch? And then buy the cedar mulch when I can? Would using those leaves be ok? I'll be using them in my flower & vegetable gardens, as well as putting some in my compost pile.

[Tony M]

I would say take every one of them. I use leaves as a soil ammendment and in the compost pile but not as a mulch.
If used as a mulch they tend to blow around and erode. Cedar mulch is a great mulch because it doesn't move, does an excellent job of blocking weeds, and has a secondary effect of repelling insects. It will last for years as a mulch where as leaves last only a year or less.
I'm not saying not to use them, I'm just giving you some things to think about.
Tony M

[Richard Spitzer]

Tony is correct, leaves will blow around some and break down quickly but I use them all the time. I collect them all over the neighborhood. As they break down I just keep adding more. The earthworms will come as well. I usually wet them down when I first put them out to cut down on them blowing around.
Richard Spitzer

[Tony M]

I should mention this because it could be a big problem. One year I picked up bags of pecan leaves and tilled them into my garden. I had so many pecan trees sprouting that I couldn't count them all. Oaks will do the same thing. It's not a problem in the compost pile so don't be discouraged.
Tony M

[maybeljj]

Thank you both for your advice & suggestions! I'll let my friend know that I'll take those leaves. And I'll be sure & watch for any growing trees!!! Thanks again. I appreciate your prompt replies. I'll be sure & get cedar mulch as I can afford it, but those leaves shoudl really help in the interim. Thanks again.

[northwesterner]

I don't have any big trees in my yard (yet!) but I have lots of leaves every year from surrounding yards. Mine is a "benign neglect" approach to gardening when possible--I usually just shove the loose leaves into the beds. Come spring I'm always surprised at how well they stayed put and didn't break down. They may not last as long as cedar mulch, but the price is right and I get a free supply every year! How can I beat that?

Sometimes we work so hard to follow a plan that we miss the natural arrangement right under our noses. Good luck with your leaves!

Northwesterner