With a lot of help from Andy, I got my garden beds completely covered with a thick layer of leaves. I do this every year. The effect on the soil is amazing. The leaves suppress weed growth over the winter and continue to be mulch in the paths well into the summer.
We almost didn’t get the leaves off the lawn this year. I had raked a few piles, but an early snow followed by lots of rain left me wondering whether I would get leaves into the garden at all. Fortunately, the last week was dry and warm, so we did it! It’s the best layer of leaves I’ve had. Next year’s garden should be the best ever.
I also cover the garden with leaves. Don’t have enough trees so I am lucky neighbors bag theirs in nice. Paper leaf bags which I pick up as I drive by.
How do you handle the leaves in the spring, since plowing and roto-tilling are no longer recommended?
I rake the leaves into the paths where they remain as a mulch and break down into the soil by fall. I never turn or till my beds. I loosen them with a broadfork.