Fall is a favorite time of year for many Texas gardeners. Cooler temperatures revive gardens and gardeners alike. Leaves of deciduous trees turn color and fall to the ground, covering many yards.

Though playing in piles of leaves is great fun for children and the young at heart, disposing of leaves can create a significant burden on landfills and municipal compost facilities. Earth Kind leaf- management practices use this valuable natural resource to improve the health and appearance of landscapes.

Mowing/shredding

A light covering of leaves can be mowed, simply leaving the shredded leaves in place on the lawn. A mulching mower makes short work of this task and is the simplest way to manage leaf accumulation.

Mulching

Using leaves as mulch is an economical way to recycle this organic material and improve the landscape. Apply a 3- to 6-inch layer of shredded leaves around the base of trees and shrubs. In planting beds, apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded leaves. Mulches are especially beneficial when used around newly installed landscape plantings, and fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in this area. Plant roots get established and continue to grow during our mild winters, so landscapes planted in the fall can better withstand our hot, dry summers.

Amending soil

Leaves may be collected and added directly into soil for vegetable gardens and flower beds. A 6- to 8-inch layer of leaves tilled into a heavy clay soil improves aeration and drainage. The same amount tilled into a light, sandy soil improves water and nutrient-holding capacity. Working leaves into the soil during the fall allows sufficient time for the leaves to decompose before spring planting in vegetable gardens.

Composting

Leaves will compost if moisture is adequate and if the pile is turned frequently, ensuring a good supply of oxygen. Mixing other organic wastes with leaves is an important step in optimizing the decomposition process. The addition of materials such as fruit or vegetable scraps, other plant wastes, horse, poultry or cattle manure and grass clippings can speed up decomposition. To compost leaf and grass-clipping mixes, the leaves collected in the fall should be stockpiled until grass collection begins in spring. At that time, build a compost pile with the appropriate mix of stockpiled leaves and grass clippings. Grass clippings provide the needed nitrogen and moisture to speed up decomposition.

* Portions of this article are from the Earth Kind Web site. For more information, visit earthkind.tamu

.edu/EKpublications.html.

* Charla Anthony is the horticulture program assistant at Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Brazos County, 2619 Texas 21 W., Bryan, Texas 77803. Her e-mail address is charla.anthony@theeagle.com.

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