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Frugal Gardening
Frugal Gardening
Lifestyle
Amanda Blankenship

How to Make Leaf Mold for Better Garden Soil

making leaf mold
Fallen leaves can be transformed into leaf mold, a free soil conditioner that improves moisture retention and soil structure. Shredding leaves and keeping them damp can speed decomposition, although fully finished leaf mold may take up to two years to develop. Martin Stock Studio/Shutterstock

What if the fallen leaves covering your yard could replace some of the expensive soil amendments you buy every spring? Instead of bagging them up for collection, you can turn those leaves into a dark, crumbly material that helps garden soil hold moisture, improves its structure, and supports healthier plant growth.

It’s called leaf mold, and making it is surprisingly simple.

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