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Dried leaves are an abundant source of organic matter that can be used for a variety of purposes in a garden, lawn, and elsewhere. The leaves can be shredded into fine pieces and used as mulch around trees or other plants. They can be added to a compost bin to supplement other nitrogen-rich materials and break down into compost. In the correct proportions, the leaves can be added directly to the soil, where they slowly break down over time, enriching the soil. Depending on the exact type of leaves, they can also be used for decorative arrangements or as worm beds along with newspaper or coconut fiber.
Before using dry leaves in a lawn or garden, it is important to know from which trees the dry leaves have fallen. This is because black walnut leaves contain certain chemicals that can kill plants they come into contact with during decomposition. This chemical can render entire batches of compost or mulch useless, so black walnut leaves should be avoided altogether.
One of the most basic ways to use dry leaves is as mulch around plants or trees. Leaves can help protect plants over winter and can help retain moisture in the soil, allowing air and water to reach the roots. Over time, the leaves break down and help add nutrients to the soil, sometimes making them a more convenient option than mulch, which can take much longer to break down. To use dry leaves as mulch, they must be of a very small variety or shredded with a machine or lawnmower before laying.
Dried leaves in a garden can also be used in compost bins or composted only in well-ventilated containers, such as a box made of mesh or plastic fencing. The leaves will help provide material that will fill a compost pile, though they will need a source of nitrogen, such as freshly harvested green matter. Alternatively, there are special compost accelerator powders that can be poured into a leaf pile that will start the composting process with the correct amount of moisture.
Small or shredded dry leaves can be buried directly in the ground, where they will naturally decompose over time. This process can take several years, depending on soil conditions and the type of leaves, but it will eventually help rejuvenate lost nutrients in the soil. However, it is important to avoid adding too many leaves to the soil, because large amounts can create an ideal environment in which harmful bacteria and fungi can grow.
Leaves that have dried and managed to retain their shape and some fall color are often used in flower arrangements, wreaths, and other fall-themed craft projects. Showy leaves, which can be large, colorful, uniquely shaped, or all of the above, are among the most popular varieties for these uses. While you should make sure the foil is completely clean beforehand, possibly organic and free of harmful chemicals, it is possible to paint the melted chocolate onto a well-ribbed foil and then remove the hardened chocolate to use as an edible decoration. .a cake or other dessert.
