Every fall, gardeners fill bags with something they may turn around and pay to replace a few months later. Fallen leaves can become mulch, compost and organic matter, making them one of the most useful free materials your yard produces. Instead of hauling them away, strategic leaf mulch uses can protect exposed soil, suppress winter weeds and slowly return organic material to garden beds as the leaves break down. Oregon State University recommends using leaves over vegetable beds because they can reduce compaction from winter rain, improve soil structure and boost fertility. The trick isn’t simply dumping every leaf into one giant pile—it’s putting them where they’ll provide the most value.
