How to Use Leaves As Mulch for Myrtle & Groundcovers

Common myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) grows into a large bush or small tree that blooms each spring with light to dark pink flowers. Myrtles like moist soil and need protection from freezing weather. Leaf mulch helps the soil to retain water and protects its roots from frost in the winter. Groundcovers grow low to the ground and provide a living mulch for landscaping plants, but may also benefit from leaf mulch immediately following transplanting. Mulch inhibits the growth of weeds, allowing the groundcovers time to develop.

Rake
Leaves
Tarp
Lawnmower
Grass clippings or urea
Compost bin

Instructions

- 1
  Rake leaves into a pile and allow it to dry if wet. Wet leaves will not crumble mowed as well as dry leaves. Place a tarp over drying leaves during rain and secure with garden rocks.
- 2
  Spread the leaves into one long pile 1 foot in height. Run a lawn mower back and forth in a zigzagging motion over the leaves to chop them up. Continue running the mower over the pile until the leaf pieces are about 1/2 inch in length.
- 3
  Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of leaves directly under the myrtle and around groundcover plants. Placing the leaves directly on the ground after chopping them results in a sheet compost -- the leaves decompose on the ground as opposed to inside a compost bin. Alternatively, rake the leaves into a compost bin, alternating 12- to 18-inch layers of leaves, a sprinkling of urea or grass clippings and a sprinkling of water.
- 4
  Add a 1/4-inch layer of grass clippings or a sprinkling of urea on top of the sheet-composted leaves and spray them lightly with water.

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