Can I use leaves from the bush to make mulch?

[Phillybonker]

I want to grow in the bush, deep in the bush, growing in the ground, not containers. And I was thinking that to save money buying mulch and carrying it into the bush, I could just use leaves in the surrounding bush and spread the leaves around my plants to "make mulch". Do you think that would be good enough for organic mulch? The idea here is water retention because I can only water my plants once a week.

 

[bobrown14]

Yes we collect leaf mulch and ewc in the woods as much as possible.

 

[Phillybonker]

Yes we collect leaf mulch and ewc in the woods as much as possible.

Yes!!! and so I will do the same. Thank you

What is ewc?

 

[Stunger]

What is ewc?

earth worm castings

 

[Phillybonker]

earth worm castings

Oh I only knew it as worm casting. I plan to use that as well and peat moss. So in summary; mulch, worm casting and peat moss. Am I good?

 

[Emilya Green]

Oh I only knew it as worm casting. I plan to use that as well and peat moss. So in summary; mulch, worm casting and peat moss. Am I good?

sure sounds like a good plan anyway... good luck! I hope it all works out well for you!

 

[Phillybonker]

sure sounds like a good plan anyway... good luck! I hope it all works out well for you!

Thank you

 

[013]

There’s a lot of tannins in leaves and it’s a strong chemical. It will burn skin and make you itch, tannin is also used to cure animal hides for leather. The point is..... start mulching the leaves now pile them up and mix in some dirt and water them in so they will begin to break down, lose the tannins and be biologically available to your plants

 

[Phillybonker]

There’s a lot of tannins in leaves and it’s a strong chemical. It will burn skin and make you itch, tannin is also used to cure animal hides for leather. The point is..... start mulching the leaves now pile them up and mix in some dirt and water them in so they will begin to break down, lose the tannins and be biologically available to your plants

The leaves aren't for nutrients for the plants, the leaves are to add water retention.

 

[013]

precisely but a loose pile of leaves will not retain a fraction of the water as compressed and mulched leaves will plus the natural mycos that will grow in the mulch after it breaks down.

 

[Phillybonker]

precisely but a loose pile of leaves will not retain a fraction of the water as compressed and mulched leaves will plus the natural mycos that will grow in the mulch after it breaks down.

Time is not on my side. Will mulching bark do? It's cheap in my country. It's natural bark.

 

[013]

Sure I understand. I don’t grow outdoors but I do have a yard & small garden, I think bark would work ok as long as it’s not full of bugs. Im indoors so I’m big on cooking my soil before use. I think I would soak it a few times if you can before use - pop a hole in the top of the bag and insert the water hose.