Fall Leaves, Spring Cleanup, Composting, and Mulching: A Complete Organic Garden System

Conflicting advice: mow leaves into beds in fall vs. remove debris in spring. Here's the integrated system that resolves the contradiction.

The Annual Cycle

1. Fall: Mow leaves into lawn/beds. They protect soil over winter.
2. Spring: Turn leaves INTO the soil (till or fork) — they become fertilizer, not debris.
3. Compost separately: Kitchen/garden waste → dedicated bins → finished compost for beds.

Simple Composting (No Shredder Needed)

• Bin system: 3 bins, 1-year rotation.
• Layer: weeds, kitchen scraps, leaves, manure/alfalfa tea.
• After 1 year: sift through ½" hardware cloth over wheelbarrow.
• Overs → bottom of next bin. Fines → garden.
• Vermicomposting for kitchen scraps (worms do the work).

Mulching: The Weed Solution

• 3–4 inches year-round = virtually no weeds.
• Best mulch: Alfalfa hay (feed store, $/bale). Crumble by hand (gloves), spread 3", pick out stems.
• Benefits: N-rich, weed-free, worms love it, tills in easily, stays put when watered.
• Straw works but doesn't feed soil; too coarse to till in fast.

Mulch Schedule

• Spring: Till in winter mulch, water, apply fresh, wait 2 weeks, plant.
• Fall: Till in summer mulch, water, apply fresh for winter.
• Or: Till once yearly in spring; leave fall mulch in place.

Tools

• Mantis Tiller — only one recommended (light, easy, fun).
• No-till option: 4-ft beds, never step in them, mulch only.

Weed Groundcovers? No.

They compete for water/nutrients, don't cool roots enough. Mulch + worms = superior.

This system builds soil, eliminates weeds, and runs on waste streams. Start this fall.