[Chas]

Hello all

 
we have been given a trailer full of leaf mould (honest from the village handiman)!:) Do we put it in a pile and let it rot down or do I put it straight on the plot, our ground is clay that becomes concrete in the summer.

Thanks for any advise....

Charlie. 

[arugula]

Hi Charlie,

I know you say leaf mould, but its not entirely clear if this matter is rotted down yet or if you were given a trailer full of leaves. The advice differs depending on this.... 

[DavidT]

Totally agree with Argyllie, is it a black soil - like substance, or leaves?

[Chas]

Hello both,

sorry for the confusion, it's a trailer full of leaves, or it was, after the winds we had this week it's a garden full of leaves.

Thanks for the help.

Charlie.

[arugula]

Hi Charlie,

I thought maybe you meant un-rotted leaves. I'd sit and type a lovely long reply, but as I'm at work   , here's a useful and clear to follow guide, to both rotting down to produce your own and then using it..

HTH,

Lorna.

[Chas]

Thank you for that Lorna, I had a look, loads of useful information.

Charlie.

[arugula]

Glad to be of assistance Charlie!

[galen]

I've just bought some Raspberry canes and whilst looking at care etc it's been suggested to use "young" leafmould as mulch in the spring / early summer - As well as water retention it helps to make the soil slightly acidic which the raspberries prefer.