If you are keeping a compost pile or want to use natural leaf mulch for your garden, read why we suggest you invest in a leaf mulcher.

We purchased the Worx 13amp Electric Leaf Mulcher. This is a corded machine that uses nylon string like a weed-whacker to shred the leaves.

Reason 1: Reduces Leaf Volume

This leaf mulcher mulches 11 bags of leaves down to one bag (11:1 ratio). If you have a ton of leaves like us, it makes it a really easy way to remove the volume meaning you need less yard waste bags, or you can add more leaves to your compost pile. More compost materials means more compost!

We also purchased a reusable, collapsible leaf bag from Fiskars to shred the leaves into which makes moving it to the compost pile easy.

Reason 2: Quicker Decomposition

Before shredding the leaves, the mulch was sitting at 80 degrees F on a 32 degree day. Not bad, but not hot enough for good decomposition.

After removing the non shredded leaves and replacing them with shredded leaves, the pile was reaching 120degrees – a 40 degree increase in only 4 days.

The shredded leaves take less time and effort to break down, allow better airflow and moisture into the pile, and better mixing of greens and browns.

Reason 3: Prevention of Matting

Our leaves are huge. We have many large oak trees in our yard. When added to our compost they tend to layer and mat, preventing proper airflow and reducing decomposition. The lack of airflow can also cause odors. It can take one to three years for a whole leaf to decompose. By shredding the leaves you can easily turn the compost to help the bacteria work its magic. As an added benefit, shredded leaves are also less likely to blow away!

We plan to use the leaf mulcher to accelerate the speed in which we obtain compost. We also plan to use the leaf mulch directly as mulch around the garden. Mulching on top of the soil helps prevent moisture loss around the plants roots and can insulate the roots by keeping the soil warm in the colder months.

To find out more ways of how we are creating rich compost, check out this blog.