Leaves

Covering the garden with leaves is a November ritual essential for my garden. Leaves are fertilizer, weed suppressors, organic matter, and insulation for the garden beds. This year we have an abundance of leaves, and I was able to move them while they were dry. Wet leaves do not move well.

I gather leaves using a leaf blower to rake and shape the piles. I try to make piles with long straight edges, which I can place a tarp adjacent to.

I use garden stakes to pin down the tarp. This helps on windy days, and it makes raking leaves over the edges of the tarp easier.

A handle and rope assembly make the tarp easy to pull. I prefer to push the handle in front of me. Much easier than pulling.

I drag the tarp of leaves into the garden, placing the back edge of the tarp where I want, and then walk back over the tarp, flipping it and depositing a big pile of leaves that then needs to be raked into the beds.

I haven’t got all the leaves in yet, but if I don’t get any more, there is enough. I still have a lot of raking to do. Defining the paths is important. Otherwise, walking through the garden becomes quite difficult.