How best to use a sheet of leaf mulch?

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Wulfsden Riverdale, NJ(Zone 6a) Apr 19, 2010

In early summer last year, I needed emergency surgery; luckily it was after my summer planting was complete. (Did I just describe emergency surgery as lucky?? It must be some new meaning of the word of which I was not previously aware.) By the time I could do any heavy garden work, the fall was almost done, and I had to put all my soil and pots away in a hurry. I had no time to prepare my usual composting spot, so I decided to use an 8x12 raised bed as a winter store.

I removed the landscape fabric from the bed and mixed in compost, coffee grounds, etc. in the usual way. I covered the bed in about 4 inches of chopped leaves and replaced the fabric. I then totally covered the whole thing with a 2 feet high pile of potting soil/compost mix and left it for the winter.

Spring is here and I finally put the last of the potting soil back in its pots. I removed the landscape fabric intending to turn the rotted leaves into the bed. However, I was surprised to find that the leaves had turned into a 1.5 inch thick, spongy sheet of leaf mulch cardboard, for want of a better term, which totally covered the bed. It occurred to me that this sheet of leaf mulch will probably keep the bed moister and better weed protected than anything I could buy in the store, so I simply replaced the fabric.

So, here is the question. This year I plan to use this bed for bush beans and zucchini. Should I,

- Turn the leaves into the bed as planned?
- Remove the leaves from the bed until they rot more?
- Plant directly into the leaf mulch without disturbing it?
- Cut small holes through the leaf mulch where I plan to plant?
- Drop back and punt?

This is a sort of unique opportunity and I am not sure how best to proceed. Any advice you can spare will help?

Many thanks

Ed

Post #7718787
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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Apr 20, 2010

The only problem I have encountered with "sheet mulch" such as you describe, is that it actually can prevent water and air from getting where you want it, depending on the thickness of the mulch. It will require watering for longer periods to thoroughly soak the soil. I would suggest lifting the "mulch sheet" planting and then breaking up the mulch and re-applying it, or using the mulch in an area that you do not plan on planting.

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