Leaf Mold vs. Compost: What's the Difference?

Leaf mold is simply composted leaves—no green material added. It decomposes slowly via fungi, resulting in a dark, crumbly material that excels at improving soil structure and water retention. Compost, by contrast, includes nitrogen-rich greens (grass clippings, kitchen scraps) that heat up and break down faster, producing a nutrient-rich amendment that both conditions soil and feeds plants. Use leaf mold as a mulch or soil conditioner; use compost to enrich planting beds. Both are valuable, but they serve different primary purposes.