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Les jardiniers pros ne jettent jamais les feuilles mortes, on vous dit pourquoi
L'automne est là, et avec lui, une armée de feuilles mortes prêtes à envahir chaque recoin de jardin, balcon ou trottoir. Pourtant, ces feuilles tomb…
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French Gardeners Discover Gold in Autumn Leaves: A Sustainable Fertilizer Revolution
As autumn leaves blanket the landscapes across France, a growing number of gardeners are rethinking their approach to this seasonal bounty. David, a gardening expert from "Astuces Jardinage 🍅," recently highlighted in a viral video that these fallen leaves are far from waste; they are, in fact, a valuable, free, and natural fertilizer. Traditionally, many homeowners collect and discard dead leaves, often viewing them as garden debris. However, David argues that this is a "monumental error." "Dead leaves are a mine of nutrients for your soil," he explains. "Nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon – everything your vegetables need." He points out that burning leaves is prohibited in most French communes and results in the loss of a precious natural resource. Similarly, adding large quantities of leaves directly to a compost pile can hinder the fermentation process, emphasizing the need to mix them with green waste. The video outlines three effective methods for transforming dead leaves into "black gold." First, shredding leaves with a lawnmower can accelerate their decomposition three-fold. Second, using them as a 5-10 centimeter layer of mulch around plants like vegetables, fruit trees, and strawberries helps retain soil moisture and provides continuous nourishment throughout the winter. Third, creating a simple leaf pile in a netted area or bin allows for the production of a light, rich humus by spring, ideal for seedlings. David also suggests mixing in a bit of soil or old compost to further speed up decomposition. Given France's typically humid and mild winters, this natural process efficiently converts leaves into a potent, ecological, and highly effective fertilizer. This approach not only enriches garden soil but also aligns with sustainable gardening practices, reducing waste and reliance on chemical products.
