How To Use Leaves In The Garden. The Dangers On Using Leaves Incorrectly.

I don't want to be contrary, but I disagree. In theory I can see her point. In practical use, I have tilled in leaves in my garden plots for years. I pick up the leaves using a bagger attachment on my riding mower. This shreds them pretty well. I dump them on my garden plots in the Fall and spread them to a thickness of about 4 inches over the top of the plot. I let them set all Winter like that and they stay fairly moist naturally from the winter rains etc. In the early Spring around March I till them in using a tiller. The are usually about half decomposed by then but there are still mainly whole leaves. I have very sandy soil and they really help with the soil tilth and texture.

As far as robbing nitrogen levels, well, my gardens have always been outstanding. Sometimes I feel that academics doesn't take into account practical experience and usage. That's just my view and experience.