Question From: West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, United States
Q: we read every fall to mulch all our leaves to use on the lawns & beds. But we have an acre of yard with 15 oaks, 2 maples & 4 hickories. We also read & have been warned that oak leaves NEVER break down & only smother whatever they have been left to "mulch"! We are up to our knees already & couldn't possibly just mulch after each leaf cleaning! What is the REAL answer to just mulching & leaving on the lawn & flower beds, or not??
A: Marian, Mother Nature depends on leaves to feed her gardens. If Oak leaves never break down our world would be hip deep in oak leaves. All leaves decompose. You have a lot of leaves so mulch some into the lawn. Mulch the garden and landscape beds with shredded leaves, compost some and store other shredded leaves in plastic bags for use in spring. I live in the middle of the forest and guess what, by mid-summer there is not a leaf to be found. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
