Autumn leaves are free horticultural gold that we rake up and send away. Within a year, chopped up leaves decompose and become what’s known as “leaf mold”, which is an excellent mulch, soil amender, and seed-starting medium. Anyone interested in cutting their use of peat moss should look into making leaf mold, as it is an excellent peat substitute. Even when not decomposed, they can be put on garden beds as a mulch to help reduce watering in the summer. Leaves are also an excellent assistant when it comes to providing plants with winter protection when left in garden beds, and provide shelter and nesting material for many creatures.

To make leaf mold, even in a small space, all you need is a black garbage bag. After collecting your leaves, mulch them up as finely as possible. This can be done by going over them with a lawn mower, or sitting with your headphones on and chopping them up by hand. Then, pack them tightly in the black garbage bag. Loosely tied the top and flip it over. Poke a bunch of drainage holes in the bottom, the more the better! With that done, flip the bag right-side up, untie it, and thoroughly wet the leaves. Make sure the bag is draining well at this point – you don’t want to make leaf soup. Now, all you need to do is seal up the bag and store it out of the way for approximately a year. The end result should be a smooth, pleasant-smelling compost that is slightly crumbly.

Perennials, shrubs and trees are the backbone of garden design. They also take much more time and effort for nurseries to grow than annual plants, and are therefore priced much higher. This can scare a lot of gardeners away, especially those gardening in small spaces or on balconies. But as our gardens become smaller and more coveted, it’s my opinion that plants should work harder to “earn” their spot. Perennials, shrubs and trees are an investment, to be sure, but they are better for your wallet and your planet in the long-run. You will be amazed by how much wildlife a fruiting tree or shrub attracts to your garden. A well-chosen perennial is dynamic, changing throughout the seasons and providing food and protection for many birds and insects.

Herbaceous perennials (the ones that die back into the soil in winter and start fresh every spring) are also very easy to divide once they are mature, so you can make several new plants for free. By choosing a more neutral scheme with your permanent plants, you can use annual flowers to enhance your garden, and play with new colour schemes every year. And then, when those short-lived plants fade, your perennials and shrubs will still be there to provide interest. Even the smallest garden or balcony has room for a potted shrub or perennial, so dream big!

As a closing note, I’ll mention that this is literally just the tip of the iceberg. I could write a novel about all the ways we can be greener in our gardens. So, if you’re interested in anything I mentioned here, I would strongly suggest that you do some research of your own and look into the resources available to you. Books, videos, and local organic gardens are all excellent ways to learn more.

And remember, as the pressure mounts on us as individuals to save the planet, that this is a community effort. So, start by doing what you can, and educate those around you. Our gardens are valuable habitat for so much wildlife, and an invaluable resource for us as places to relax and restore our mental health. As long as you’re doing what you can, you’re doing enough.

• Share :
• 
• 
• 
•