Overview
- Recent Argentine coverage published May 25–27 reinforced long-standing advice that fallen leaves are a nutrient-rich resource rather than waste and can return as much as 80% of a tree’s stored nutrients to the soil when they decompose.
- Experts recommend adding shredded dry leaves to home compost as a carbon source to balance wet kitchen scraps, which speeds healthy decomposition and prevents foul odors.
- Using chopped leaves as mulch helps retain soil moisture, moderate root temperature, suppress weeds and improve soil structure by protecting and feeding soil organisms.
- Small controlled leaf piles can create microhabitats for earthworms, beetles and decomposer microbes that aerate soil and aid natural pest control, but specialists warn against using visibly diseased leaves or leaving overly thick or persistently wet layers.
- Practical steps for households include storing leaves in ventilated containers, shredding them to speed breakdown, adding them gradually to compost and checking drainage to avoid excess moisture that can harm sensitive plants.