Dry leaves that fall from trees regularly is considered a problem…let us convert that problem to an excellent resource and wealth for ourselves. Sharing below how this great resource can be used within our premises:
1. These dry leaves over few months convert to manure and soil (as in forests). Let us make that happen so that we don’t hv to buy soil and manure from outside, by spending money.
2. Most farmlands/landowners/societies, etc either burn it or pay money to get it removed from their premises. This way, we r adding to pollution as well as cost unnecessarily.
3. Most farmlands/landowners/societies buy soil from outside after point 2. This soil comes from mountains that hv dug up by destroying the trees and ecology around it. Plus added is the carbon footprint involved in transporting it to various nurseries for sale. We can avoid all these by using the dry leaves that we hv in abundance around us which we generally discard.
4. For raising land levels, instead of buying soil, just dig up the patch and set the soil aside. Fill the patch with dry leaves a little more than level reqd …cover it with soil set aside. Over a period of time the dry leaves will become soil teaming with microbes and earthworms.
5. For potting mix in pots, we generally buy soil and manure from outside. Instead, we can fill the pot with compacted leaves and do the plantation. Overtime, the dry leaves will decay and release nutrition to the plant and once nutrition is absorbed, will become soil.
6. Dry leaves acts as mulch at the base of all plants to keep the plant cool, allow the microbes and earthworms to survive protected from sunlight, also prevent water evaporation thereby reducing the need for frequent watering.
7. If ur land/society/property has more concrete, consider investing in recycled paint drums, filling up with dry leaves and greening up available space as depicted in picture shared
8. If u hv a shaded place, u can tie up gonis filled with compacted dry leaves and keep it aside for few months…u will get leaf mold compost that is excellent manure for your plants.
9. Investment in a leaf shredder to reduce the volume of the dry leaves is also recommended if ur premises has huge generation of dry leaves. This shredded fine leaves can be used conveniently in the garden by sprinkling them as soil/manure/mulch.
Hope this insight will make u look at this real wealth around us with new eyes, which we generally throw away/burn.
Pls share this message widely among plant lover friends to help put the abundant available natural resources around us to best use.