How to Reduce Waste by Mulching Leaves
Those piles of leaves that line the streets when the trees go bare were once a form of childhood amusement. I remember running, jumping and letting their fluffiness break my fall countless times for hours on end.
But, now this sight just makes me sad. With all of the waste that we create, it’s cases like this where we need to change our ways. This year, mulch your leaves instead of bagging them for the trash collector – you’ll find that it’s actually a lot easier than raking. In fact, all you have to do is mow your lawn. This shreds the leaves, and, just like that, you’ve got mulch, which will supply 25% of your yard’s nitrogen needs, reducing the dependence on fertilizers that harm the environment. You’ll need to be very good about mowing your lawn frequently so that grass clippings aren’t too long – otherwise you’ll choke the living lawn rather than supply it with nutrition. Many lawnmowers have a grass catcher or suction, which collects the remains for you. Then, all you have to do is spread this debris around your plants for a natural nutrient-rich mulch. (Note: if you have a gas-powered mower, you may be doing more harm than good. Check out EcoMowers for green options.)
Image: James Jordan
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1 Comment
November 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Totally agree here. Usually people rake leaves, which are an excellent fertilizer, containing all the nutrients from the tree, and then pour toxic fertilizers on their lawn in order to help it grow. Very bizarre practice, indeed!
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