When the leaves are falling in abundance, what can do with all of them? In addition to getting the leaf blower and rake involved and packing them away, you can actually use a lot of these fall leaves in your garden and around your home. Dive into this pile of creative fall leaf ideas.

1. Mulch, Mulch, and Mulch

When the leaves fall, that means winter is coming. Make sure that you are ready with a lot of mulch to protect your garden beds. Add a layer of leaves to add protection from the cold, wet weather and you’ll have healthier plants in the springtime.

2. Build Soil in Your Lasagna Garden

Those fall leaves could form an essential part of your lasagna garden: a garden where you’re trying to build soil, not grow plants. According to The Spruce, “Lasagna gardening is a no-dig, no-till organic gardening method that results in rich, fluffy soil with very little work from the gardener.”  In the fall, place cardboard over top of weeds, wet it down, and then add layers of organic material such as grass clippings and leaves. You’ll have a thriving soil ecosystem come the spring.

3. Create Next Year’s Garden Beds and Bins

As the year winds down, use that time to prepare your garden beds for the next year. Add leaves to build soil over the winter in those beds. For instance, Savvy Gardening suggests that you can build a potato bin with your old leaves: “Build the wire frames right now, put them in place, and begin to fill them with leaves. Come spring, the leaves will be partially decomposed.”

4. Feed Your Lawn

Fall leaves are full of nutrients that many plants can use, and this includes your lawn. Use your mower to turn your leaves into tiny pieces that settle in your lawn. These will decompose and provide an all-natural lawn food.

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5. DIY Compost

If you find yourself spending money on compost every spring, try DIY compost instead. Take those leaves and pile them in a place where they will be undisturbed over the winter. They will decompose, and then you can dig out the rich compost and use it in your garden in the spring.

6. Insulate Around Tender Plants

While you know that you can use leaves to insulate ground plants, you can also use them to insulate the entire plant. If you have a tender plant that needs a blanket for the winter months, build a cage around the plant, add leaves, and let them help your plants through the winter. This is a particularly good technique in climates that are cold but not wet, so damp leaves will not lead to rot on your plants.

7. Use Them for Storage

If you have a root cellar, you can use clean, dry fall leaves to help store your plants. This applies to root vegetables, and it’s best if you ensure that your leaves are very dry. That way, they will not cause mold.

8. Make a Scarecrow

Are you looking for a project for your kids or grandkids? If so, making a scarecrow not only scares away the birds from your fall garden – it’s an engaging weekend project for the kids. Use old clothes and stuff them with some dry leaves, then put your scarecrow on a pole in the garden or make a set of scarecrows for your front porch for Halloween.

9. Decorate With Your Leaves

Some fall leaves are more attractive than others. If you have a constant supply of leaves, add a vase to your front porch and put the most vibrant leaves in there. Add fall flowers in the center or enjoy your leaves as they are.

10. Make a Playground for the Kids

While this is a temporary use for your leaves, it’s probably the most fun. Rake up your leaves in piles and enjoy jumping into them with the kids! If you don’t have children or grandchildren, see if a local school or preschool would like the leaves for this purpose or for fall crafts.

At Lednor Home Solutions, we’re here to make your home and garden easier to manage. Talk with us about gutter covers that help you manage your fall leaves without clogging up your gutters. Schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud