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Often we clean the dry leaves fallen in our house or garden considering them as garbage. Many people even burn them, which not only harms the environment but also a valuable thing goes waste.

Many gardening people do not know that these same dry leaves can be very beneficial for their plants. The special compost made from these leaves is called leaf mold, which is completely natural and improves the soil.

What is leaf mold and why is it special?

Leaf mold is a kind of organic fertilizer, which is made only by rotting dry leaves. It is a little different from normal compost, because only leaves are used in it.

This compost helps retain moisture in the soil and keeps the plant roots cool. This is very useful especially in summer, because it prevents the plants from drying up quickly. Apart from this, leaf mold makes the soil soft, due to which the roots of the plants spread easily and the plants grow faster.

which leaves are best

When we make leaf molds, it is important to choose the right leaves. Leaves of trees like Peepal, Banyan, Neem and Mango are considered best for this. Very thick or thorny leaves do not decompose quickly, so they should be broken into small pieces. If you add some green leaves along with the dry leaves, the compost gets prepared more quickly and has more nutrition. In this way, choosing the right leaves makes your compost more effective.

How to make leaf mold at home

Leaf mold is very easy to make and anyone can make it at home. First of all, collect dry leaves from your garden or surroundings. If the leaves are large, pluck them a little so they can thaw quickly. After this take a big plastic bag or mesh basket. If you are using a plastic bag, make sure to make small holes in it so that air can flow in and out.

Now fill these leaves in a bag and sprinkle light water on them. Keep in mind that the leaves should remain just moist, not too wet. After this, keep the bag in a shady place. Gradually, in a few months, these leaves will rot and turn into black, soft manure. This is your leaf mold compost, which you can use on your plants.

Benefits of leaf mold for plants

When we add leaf mold to our plants, the quality of the soil becomes better. It retains water in the soil for a long time, due to which the plants do not need to be watered frequently. Plants that are treated with leaf mold remain healthier and greener. Their roots are strong and the plants grow fast. Apart from this, it is completely natural fertilizer, which does not cause any harm to the soil or the environment.

Why is it most important in summer?

Plants need the most care during the summer season. Due to strong sunlight and heat the soil dries up quickly. In such times, leaf mold is very useful. It retains moisture in the soil and keeps the plant roots cool. If you use leaf mold in your garden, your plants will remain fresh even in summer and will avoid drying out.

Also beneficial for the environment

Burning dry leaves increases air pollution, which is harmful for our health. If we use these leaves properly and make leaf mold, we not only benefit our plants but also protect the environment. This is an easy and cheap way by which we can make our household waste useful.