Leaf mold is created from leaves which fall to the ground; decaying into a rich dark material. Leaf mold is an excellent soil conditioner. Making leaf mold in your garden is easy to do. All you need is a supply of autumn leaves and a simple container to keep them form blowing away.

Which leaves to use? Any leaves from deciduous trees and shrubs can be collected in autumn to make leaf mold. Evergreens such as holly and laurel should be avoided.

Leaves of some species take longer to decompose than others, but all leaves will eventually rot. You can supplement your supply with leaves from parks(with permission), cemeteries, and quiet streets. Avoid using leaves from busy streets as they may be polluted with oils and vehicle emissions. Never use leaves from woodlands.

Making Leaf Mold- Simple leaf mold containers can be made with netting and posts, or they can be purchased. There is no need for lids or solid sides. Size is not critical. Smaller quantities can be stored in plastic bags, with a few air holes cut into the bags.

It is best to collect the leaves after a rain. If the leaves are dry they should be soaked well with water. Place the leaves in the container or bags in an out of the way corner or area of your yard and let them decay. Using a Leaf Mold Savings Kit  is one of the best ways to make leaf mold. The kit contains  beneficial microorganisms and nitrogen-rich nutrients to help jump start the composting process.
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A leaf mold pile can heat up slightly but the process is generally slow and cold. It can take any where from 9 months to 2yrs to make a usable batch of leaf mold, depending on the tree species and the particular use.

Uses- Leave mold can generally be used as a low-fertility soil improver and a moisture retaining mulch after 1 year. It should be darker and more crumbly than newly fallen leaves, but does not have to be fully rotted. For a finer product for use in seed and potting mixes, or as a top dressing for lawns let the leaf mold decay for 2 years.

Leaf mold is particularly valuable as a winter cover for bare soil, especially where small seeds, such as carrots, are to be sown. Leaf mold also makes a good moisture retentive mulch, applied once the soil has been warmed in the spring.

Tender plants such as the crowns of penstemons can be protected with a blanket of leaf mold. It will keep of frost in the winter and help to retain moisture in the summer.

To make a more nutrient rich material for use in potting mix add confrey leaves after the leaves have been decaying for 1 year. Allow them to decay together for 1 year.. Two year old leaf mold can be mixed with sand or loam to make a top dressing mix for a lawn.