Question
Hi Mike,
We are in the midst of spring clean up and planting. We have raked and "vacuumed" several bags of dried live oak leaves mixed with St. Augustine thatch. Our vacuume grinds things pretty well, and I'm wondering if there is any good reason not to use this free mulch around my strawberries, squash, melons etc. I guess I have a fear that the oak leaves may give off something that may hurt the plants. Any no-nos that you know of?

Thanks for your help, you have rescued me several times in the past!

Nancy

Answer
Nancy, oak leaves are a perfect organic material for mulch or compost. In my yard, it is my mulch of choice.

I gather dozens of bags filled with oak leaves every fall. After shredding them, I place half in the compost pile to enrich my soil the following spring. The other half I leave in the bags until after my vegetables and flowers are planted the next spring. I then spread the shredded leaves around the plants as mulch. As I said, they are the perfect organic amendment for the garden.

Good luck, and have a great week.

Mike