Anyone using raked up leaves for a mulch layer?

thumper60 said:

I use wire an turn mine 10 times faster then just sitting there,the wire allows for stacking an better air flow

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for regular compost making, i would agree; but for composting leaves, i feel it's unnecessary to disturb the organisms working on your leaf pile. we're talking about worms and insects doing the composting more so than micro organisms when composting a pile of leaves like this. Also, doing leaves like this, stacking in a tall pile is unnecessary as well, because there is no heat to maintain. it's better to spread it out and create more surface contact with the earth so more organisms find their way to the pile. i'd say like 12" to 20" is ideal. Again this is not a thermophilic process, it's "cold" composting, just letting worms and insects do their thing, and they will!

youraveragehorticulturist said:

I've used coco-coir, coco chips, chopped up leaves from past harvests, EWC, my compost, bagged mushroom compost. They worked OK.

Compost is good, but it doesn't really function like mulch too long. Now I want to use leaves.

What's the difference between leaves for mulch, and leaf mold? One just sat on the ground longer?

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leaves work great for mulch because they do not absorb moisture readily as leaf mold would (and they slowly break down into compost right in your pots if you have organisms in your soil!). the idea of mulch is something that does not retain much moisture, but slows the process of evaporation from the soil, and also blocks light so that roots can infiltrate every cubic inch of soil and animals (worms and insects) have a place to hide away from the light to do their thing.

youraveragehorticulturist said:

In "Advanced Cultivation" somebody started a thread about using fiber glass insulation in a flood table for hydro.

Could you use a "sheet" or "layer" of Fiber Glass Pipe Wrap, or some kind of un-backed insulation on top of your dirt?
Similar to rock-wool, but like a wet blanket on top of your pot?

Edit:
Watching the video, dude used cotton "batting," like quilt supplies. Not fiberglass. This seems like way less a pain in the ass.

Additionally, I've seen small bales of Alfalfa Straw at the feed store. If straw is good mulch, and alfalfa is good for weeds, is alfalfa straw good for mulch?

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cotton i would not use, because of the level of arsenic found in cotton fields which would definitely be found in the cotton, just as it is in rice that's grown in old cotton fields.

fiberglass would be just disgusting lol

straw is great for mulch, but usually will contain seeds which is no big deal, just requires a bit of weeding over time definitely a good mulch option

i use some non organic mulching practices like just piling an inch of pumice across the top of the soil. creates a boundary between atmosphere yet is still breathable, and looks really nice too i have also used rice hulls (which i think is their greatest purpose in the garden as mulch).

compost is not a mulch, and i would not recommend it because it dries out and gets crusty and doesn't really serve the same purpose as the materials listed above.

ShLUbY said:

for regular compost making, i would agree; but for composting leaves, i feel it's unnecessary to disturb the organisms working on your leaf pile. we're talking about worms and insects doing the composting more so than micro organisms when composting a pile of leaves like this. Also, doing leaves like this, stacking in a tall pile is unnecessary as well, because there is no heat to maintain. it's better to spread it out and create more surface contact with the earth so more organisms find their way to the pile. i'd say like 12" to 20" is ideal. Again this is not a thermophilic process, it's "cold" composting, just letting worms and insects do their thing, and they will!

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u r correct sir I was talking reg compost I mix every thing together, another thing about straight leaves is ph depending on what kind

thumper60 said:

u r correct sir I was talking reg compost I mix every thing together, another thing about straight leaves is ph depending on what kind

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the end resulting compost should come out quite neutral though