Leaf mold compost is an excellent organic soil amendment that can greatly benefit gardens and lawns. As a passionate gardener, I’m always on the lookout for high-quality leaf mold compost near me. With so many options available, it can be tricky finding the right product. In this article, I’ll share my tips for locating top-notch leaf mold compost in your local area.
What is Leaf Mold Compost?
Leaf mold compost is made by allowing fallen leaves to decompose over time. The leaves are collected, shredded wetted and allowed to slowly break down into a dark, crumbly, earthy material. This compost has a neutral pH and provides organic matter and nutrients to soil.
Some key benefits of leaf mold compost include
- Improves soil structure and texture
- Increases moisture retention
- Provides nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
- Contains beneficial microorganisms
- Lightens heavy clay soils
- Good source of humus
Leaf mold compost is an excellent amendment for flower and vegetable gardens, container plants, lawns, and more. When searching for leaf mold compost near me, I look for products made from decomposed leaves without any artificial additives or contaminants. High-quality leaf mold has a pleasant, earthy smell and a crumbly texture.
Where to Find Leaf Mold Compost Locally
Here are some places I check when I’m on the hunt for leaf mold compost in my area:
Local Nurseries and Garden Centers
My first stop is always the garden section of local nurseries and hardware stores. Many carry bagged leaf mold compost made by reputable brands like Leafgro and Nature’s Way Resources. I look for bags of fine or screened leaf mold compost that I can easily incorporate into my garden beds and containers. A 40 lb bag typically costs $15-20.
Landscapers or Tree Services
Companies that provide landscaping or tree services often make their own leaf mold compost from the leaves they collect. I’ve found calling local landscapers and tree companies can lead to an affordable bulk source of fresh, homemade leaf mold. Some will even deliver and spread bulk loads in your yard for a reasonable fee.
Municipal Composting Programs
Some cities and towns offer leaf composting programs that produce free or low-cost leaf mold compost for residents. My town collects bagged fall leaves from the curb and composts them over winter. In spring, they provide free finished leaf mold compost for pickup. Check your municipal website to see if similar programs exist where you live.
DIY Leaf Composting
Of course, the most local source is your own backyard! You can make leaf mold compost yourself for free by piling leaves in a corner or empty compost bin each fall. It takes 1-3 years to break down completely, but the wait is worth it for quality, custom compost. I keep my homemade leaf compost cooking so I always have a ready supply.
What to Look For When Buying Leaf Mold Compost
To ensure you get a high-performing product, keep these tips in mind when shopping for leaf mold compost:
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Quality ingredients: The compost should only contain leaves and natural amendments like wood chips or manure added sparingly. Avoid products with biosolids, mixed municipal waste, or chemicals.
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Dark brown color: Finished leaf mold is dark brown or black with a crumbly soil-like texture. Avoid compost that is light brown with recognizable leaves.
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Earthy smell: Leaf mold compost has an earthy, humus-rich aroma. Pass on strong ammonia odors which indicate immaturity.
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Screened and aged: Seek out fine screened compost aged 1-3 years. Unscreened or fresh leaf compost can contain sticks and may tie up soil nitrogen.
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Local and fresh: Try to buy leaf mold made regionally and use bags quickly for optimal nutrition. Imported or old bags may lack active beneficial microbes.
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Organic certifications: For assurance, look for USDA Organic, OMRI Listed, or CDFA Organic certifications on bags or bulk loads.
Incorporating Leaf Mold Compost into Your Garden
Once you’ve sourced some quality leaf mold compost, here are some tips for putting it to use:
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Till 2-3 inches of compost into vegetable and flower garden beds before planting.
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Mix 20-30% compost into all container plantings.
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Topdress lawns with 1/4 inch of compost in early spring and fall.
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Use as a mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden plants.
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Add compost when planting trees, shrubs, and perennials.
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Mix into potting soil for indoor plants and seed starting.
I always keep a supply of leaf mold compost on hand to boost my garden’s health all season long. With the right compost, you’ll notice improved soil quality, healthier plants, and bigger harvests. Finding a reliable local source for leaf mold compost is a key step for any gardener. Use these tips to track down high-quality leaf mold near you. Your plants will thank you!
What our latest test results show……
TGU’s Leaf Mold Compost latest test results show:
It is very fertile with bountiful amounts of all the right nutrients including NPK.
It does not have excessive/toxic levels of phosphorous & sodium, a common problem with commercial compost
It tests out as mature. Mature compost has better quality yields better results and avoids many problems.
It is bacterial dominated but has good balance of bacteria & fungi. Best used for lawns, veggies & seasonal color.
How does TGU achieve these results:
We are very picky in terms of using high quality ingredients and keeping out contaminants
Use a diverse variety of ingredients to create optimal compost from a nutrient & beneficial microbe standpoint.
Manage pile temperatures in a manner that promotes beneficial microbes and controls weed seeds & pathogens
We double screen our leaf mold compost to create a very easy to use, high performing end product.
A 15 Minute Compost Bin Build for Endless Garden Leaf Mold & Compost: Build it Now, Celebrate Later!
FAQ
Where can I find leaf mold?
Is leafgro good compost?
Can you mix leaf mould and compost?
Does leaf mold eat compost?
Leaf mold doesn’t feed the soil as much as compost does, so you will still need to provide compost and other organic fertilizers to your plants. Where leaf mold really shines is in adding organic matter to your soil. Leaf mold is excellent at retaining moisture in the soil.
Can leaf mold be used as a soil amendment?
While compost is an amazing resource for building soil fertility and structure, leaf mold is far better as a soil amendment. Leaf mold doesn’t feed the soil as much as compost does, so you will still need to provide compost and other organic fertilizers to your plants. Where leaf mold really shines is in adding organic matter to your soil.
What is the best leaf mold compost?
Shipping calculated at checkout. Nature’s Way Resources Leaf Mold Compost is the famous and original leaf mold compost. Do not accept an imposter! This compost is widely recognized by many horticulturalists as the best compost available and has proven itself repeatedly for over 27 years at thousands of locations.
What is the difference between leaf compost and leaf mold?
Leaf compost and leaf mold both use microorganisms in the soil to decompose leaves, but there are several differences. Composting uses heat and oxygen-loving bacteria to quickly break down leaves to create a compost that is high and nitrogen and provides food for your plants.
Does leaf mold improve soil quality?
Leaf mold is commonly used as a soil conditioner to improve the quality of existing soil. Here are some ways leaf mold benefits the quality of your soil: The addition of leaf mold improves soil structure and adds organic matter.
Can leaf mulch be used as a compost?
The introduction of leaf mold will increase moisture retention and improve the oxygen circulation in the soil. However, do bear in mind that when you dig your soil, you can damage valuable soil organisms such as Mycorrhizae Fungi. An alternative to digging your leaf mulch in is to spread the leaf mulch on your soil as a compost.