weedalicious-again with spell check!

A lot of work! oh, wait - way too many words...

JOY!

Paradise!

Fascinating!

evolving

Random

Amazingly, I was thinking evolution right before I saw tatev's post. Every year some things grow, or die, other things I change.

"Intimidating"

There's the leaves from five wisterias which will soon be falling and need collecting.



Plus these from the big acer in the front garden.

DogHouseRiley, Impressive!! You have to rake those leaves all up? I know my leaf
vac won't pick up those huge leaves.

At this time of year I will agree with the original word Overwhelming!! Try having quite a few trees that size.

(raising hand) I have big trees, but not as big as some neighbors with oaks. Talk about leaves!!!!!! And they don't compost or pack down easily.

Sallyg, I don't have trees but have plenty of leaves!! Can I say I hate Maples!!

The Norway maples are the worse , very large leaves that do not fall till going into Dec. They do not dry up like other leaves and smother the lawn if you do not get them up quickly.

It's all about perspective. I would have more cultivated areas if I had enough leaves to smother more grass. And my existing cultivated areas wouldn't be so dry and weedy if I had enough leaves to give them a good layer. If I had even more leaves, I would till them into another area to start a veggie patch. I don't believe there's any value in or need for repeated tilling, but if you have "concrete" ground, a pile of leaves, and a tiller or can borrow one, it's a great jump-start, let it rest a couple months, then use the following spring. Mulch is also great but I don't have a "mulch budget." Leaves are a free gift that is given annually.

purpleinopp, I hear ya! But when the leaves are diseased, eaten and moldy do you
really want them in your garden? Also for 30 years we have used the west neighboring fir needles to the point there is no more places to raise. Clay soil and fir needles are not something plants want to grow in and we have plenty of blueberries. I would rather buy mulch instead of lime! Neighboring trees are not what I want in my garden when their root strangle what is planted in our yard. Then one has to deal with the sap from these trees. Don't get me started on neighboring trees on small lots when they are planted on lot lines and should of been planted in the forest where they belong!! It's to the point one can't till or plant in our yard beside killing plants.

I'm sure it all decomposes. Leaves get moldy while decomposing, so I wouldn't think twice if they fell that way, but I don't remember looking at fallen leaves to try to determine if they are moldy or diseased. I wouldn't know a fallen diseased leaf from a healthy one.

No idea if fir needles are equivalent to leaves, never had any nearby. The amount of organic matter that leaves our property is incredibly small, just stuff like bones. I don't think the yard waste pickup truck has ever stopped @ our house.

We always pick up the leaves, along with grass, using the (riding) lawnmower with a bagger. It all gets put on the veg garden, some gets tilled in, some is used as mulch. Over the past 30 years we've added a literal mountain of organic matter to what was once very heavy, poorly draining soil.

purpleinopp, I can't do mold! It's on my allergy list.

I use leaves too as mulch around the backyard property line under my shrubs along the fence line. I have oak trees. The composted leaves have enriched my soil that once appeared lifeless and has helped protect the roots from completely drying out during the hot summer months with very little rain in my area. I don't know anything about other leaves, but oak leaves work well in my compost area and as a layer of mulch. And yes, everything does break down by decomposition (which includes becoming moldy).

If you have an allergy to mold, then that could be a health issue for some people who are gardeners. Fortunately for me, I don't have any allergies that I am aware of.

Yes, it's all about perspective. It's OK for them to be different.

Today's word for containers = gone. Almost all are in the house by now.