To test the pH of your soil, find out the nutrient level of the leaves that have been exposed to the sun. A high pH value is a sign of a healthy plant. If it has too little nitrogen, it may be infected by leaf mold, which is a common fungus. To test the soil ph of your soil, you need a meter or a pH meter. Then, measure the leaf mold concentration in the test tube.
To make leaf mold, you need to gather leaves from your yard and pile them. The leaves should be kept moist and turn frequently to prevent mating. Keep the pile under a tarp to conserve moisture and heat, but allow it to breathe. Shredding leaves can take up to three years to reach a healthy level. You can use it within six to twelve months if the pile is kept moist. Then, keep the tarp away from the pile, which helps it stay free from bugs.
The pH of leaf mold can be easily tested. Its content is usually around 4.0, which is the neutral pH range. Since leaves are usually acidic, it will help moderate any pH issues. However, you should not use leaf mold for a high pH solution. It will only add a few points to your pH level. A low pH level means that the leaf mold will not cure your problem, but it can be an excellent addition to your potting mix.
Leaf mold is easy to make and you can start by raking the leaves into a big pile and waiting two or three years. If you don’t have that much time, you can also shred the leaves instead of using them. A shredded pile has more surface area, which makes it easier for the fungi to work. Adding more dry leaves to the pile will help it reach the optimum ph level in about six to twelve months.
Leaf mold has a pH level of four, which is about the same as the pH of your soil. This makes it more useful than regular compost in some ways, as it not only improves the soil but also controls weeds. But it is not a substitute for the pH of your soil. It will not correct pH problems, but it will help the plant’s growth. The pH of leaf mold is close to that of humus, and its decomposition is faster than that of regular compost.
Leaf mold is a good addition to a compost pile because it helps improve soil and suppress weeds. You can also mix it with regular compost to make it more potent. As a cold-composting process, leaf mould can decompose faster than regular compost, but the pH of the finished product will not be affected by this substance. If the soil is too acidic, you can add wood ashes and lime to increase the pH level.