Leaves as mulch?

Sanderson, ty very much for the tips.  Yes, looking for MM and for compost.

Yes, leaves and coffee grounds for compost making.  (I went twice to Starbucks -- and didn't get a lot. It's obvious that they are emptying the crate and I only got what was in it right that minute. Not much.  My husband says this one is super busy but...    Must try another Starbucks. lol)

I was talking about going out and raking wet leaves lining my driveway.  I do however have some well composted leaves, black gold, several years old, looks like lovely stuff. Not sure how much -- not enough for all the gardens I mean to put in. But it should be fine for MM.


Thanks for the hint on the milk crate.  I have a 1/4" screen from decades ago (Gee, in '81 I tried SFG and built it for that).  The rim is not strong anymore.  I'll likely put a new rim on that same tool.  I saw a version that is on rockers like a glider, easy to screen stuff. Wouldn't that be nice?!

Soose wrote:. . .   I do however have some well composted leaves, black gold, several years old, looks like lovely stuff. Not sure how much -- not enough for all the gardens I mean to put in. But it should be fine for MM.

Black leaf mold can be considered one source for blended composts for the Mel's Mix.  .

. . I saw a version (sic for a compost screener) that is on rockers like a glider, easy to screen stuff. Wouldn't that be nice?!

Some of our more creative members have built some good compost screeners. I looked for a thread showing the creations but it looks like they were embedded in other threads.

I don't think I have enough black leaf mold yet to fill all the beds we're putting in.
Will get back on a separate thread to "build my mix" and check it all out.
Not making great progress last few days on this.  Did see the note about vermiculite grade 4 at Uline.
Trying to calculate what we need.