Gardening pro shares three ways to use dead leaves in the garden instead of throwing them away: 'That's brilliant'

Nature's byproducts have more uses than we may think. Even fallen leaves can work wonders for your garden.

The scoop

TikTok user Nettles and Petals (@nettlesandpetals) showed viewers three ways to use leaves to cultivate a more vibrant and diverse garden.

@nettlesandpetals 3 Ways to Use Leaves in the Garden   For me, leaves are such a valued garden resource that add so much fertility to the vegetable garden, and best of all they are free and readily available! The first way I use them is as a mulch on garden beds or pots, so we can mimic the natural mulching processes that occur to create a healthy forest floor. Leaves help to keep the soil covered, suppress weeds, retain soil moisture and boost fertility as they break down. Leaves can also be shredded to allow more air and water to get through to soil and plants and to speed up decomposition. Or alternatively, instead of raking them off the lawn, mow them in, the lawn will thank you for it.   The second way I use them is by making leaf mould. It's so easy to make, as they can just be left in a pile, bagged up, or put into an empty compost bin to break down. I Keep them damp to speed up the process, and as well as improving the structure and water retention of soils, leaf mould attracts and feeds soil organisms and fungi that boost soil health. It's also a great addition a potting mix.   The third way I use them is as an addition to the compost pile, another really quick and easy way to utilise the abundance of fallen autumn leaves. Leaves are a great brown (or carbon rich) material to combine with fresher green (or nitrogen rich) materials, attracting lots of beneficial fungi to the compost pile.   I store them nearby and add a layer in between green materials when I have them. This helps to create a rich and healthy compost that I add to my beds. It's important to leave plenty of leaves under trees or in woodlands as they are enriching the soil and acting as natural habitat for insects. So try collecting from paved areas, just beware of trash and pollutants, or pick up bagged leaves others are throwing away. So how are you using leaves in your garden? #compost #autumngarden #gardeningtips #gardening #soilhealth ♬ original sound - Nettles and Petals

First, they put leaves in plant pots and garden beds as mulch. They explained that this method mimics "the natural mulching processes that occur to create a healthy forest floor."

The second idea is to make leaf mold. The creator said that broken-down leaves attract decomposers and fungi, which promote good soil health, to your garden.

Leaves are also a welcome addition to compost piles. As Nettles and Petals noted, they are carbon- and nitrogen-rich and perfect for layering between "greens."

How it's working

One of the biggest benefits of using leaves in your garden is that they're free. Buying a bag of dirt from the store may sound fun, but nature gives us a gift by letting leaves fall from trees. Why not accept it and see its benefits to your plants?

You can even ask your neighbors to use their leaves if you're running low. In addition to saving money, you'll save your neighbors a few plastic bags and divert extra waste from landfills.

The TikToker also mentioned in their video that collecting leaves from paved areas rather than woodlands is best.

"They enrich the soil and act as a natural habitat for insects," they said.

What's the hardest thing about taking care of your yard? Mowing the lawn Controlling weeds Keeping pests at bay I don't have a yard Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

It's best to let forests experience natural mulching processes as much as possible to ensure that they stay as healthy as your garden can be.

What people are saying

Many users shared positive thoughts about the creator's suggestions.

One TikToker said, "That's brilliant thanks for sharing love your tips."

"Everything is connected," another user remarked, punctuating their sentence with a mushroom emoji.

Another person said, "Love this, so many people seem to be afraid of leaves!!"

Using leaves in your garden doesn't have to be scary, and neither does growing your own food or gardening in general. In fact, gardening can positively impact your and others' mental health, especially when you practice with your community.

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