Leaf mulcher

ispookie666

We have a large horse chestnut tree and dreading autumn when the leaves starts to fall down.  It was an absolute pain last year (we only moved in Dec 2020).
I tried using the lawnmower (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6298145/mulching-lawnmower#latest)to mulch - it was sort of ok, but the wet/damp leaves were an absolute nightmare.  I was running out of compost bins and builders bag to store the leaves.  It was a constant battle and still have leaves from last year in parts of the garden!  

I can see a lot of shredders and chippers in the stores and online but none of them state anything about the leaves.  I reached out to a few retailers and they all suggested the big boys (the ones used by professionals!).   

Any one has ideas or been in similar situation?  

twopenny

I've rented a couple but the big ones to deal with branches.
I used to have a large leaf blower that had a wet leaf setting to blow them. It was a flymo.
Putting them in one place to deal with may take the stress off.

Could you not put a compost box to put them in? The woodland garden near me does that in a relatively small space. 
When i looked at leaf shredders this came up. He seems to mention only bosch but go half way down the page for info on collecting and composting.
http://www.fredshed.co.uk/boschshredders.htm

ispookie666

I do have a Hyundai leaf blower mulcher - it's good for small leaves but absolutely rubbish when the leaves are a little bit wet. 

I have two 480L compost bins and they get filled to the brim in a few days and that's with the lawnmower working as a shredder! 

I looked into Bosch and not sure if it will work. I looked into Stilh and the company suggested 

https://m.stihl.co.uk/STIHL-Products/Garden-shredders/Electric-shredders/288960-99370/GHE-355-Electric-Chipper-Shredder.aspx

I'd rather trust users than a company. 

LessImpecunious

I've found an ordinary (not mulching) lawnmower works well on leaves (but mow before they get too wet and compacted) and, though they can take up a lot of space at first (in leafmould bins or builders bags) they will squash down quite readily (especially if "shredded" by a mower), especially if you do little and often and keep adding more on top / to the sack. Wetting the leaves if they're very dry will help to compact them; can have good leafmould/compost within a year rather than the two that's usually advised...

sheramber

I used black bin bags for my leaves. stab them with a garden fork to allow some air  nd stick in c orner out of the way. 

Mine were lpiled up in a gap between the garage and the shed

ispookie666

Might revisit the builders bag - have not had much luck due to volume. 

twopenny

They composted themselves in black bin bags.
Yes, the builders bags may work.you'll need to keep them as dark as possible and cover. Peerbhaps sling in some Garotta as they're big and tough.

LessImpecunious

Don't think leafmould needs the dark - shady places are recommended more to stop the leaves drying out; and Garotta is almost certainly a marketing con ... You might like to look at https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/leafmould or https://www.growveg.co.uk/guides/how-to-turn-fallen-leaves-into-gardeners-gold/ for general hints and tips on making it...

Effician

I would be tempted to make a 1m3 cage on top of bare ground , fill it full of leaves & use it as an occasional gents urinal , providing it's out of the way & not in full view of the neighbours of course. 

Urea nitrogen ,too good to flush & no need for garrota

ispookie666

This is the 🌲 I'm on about

wort

My leaf blower, seems to chop them up , as when I empty the bag they are in tiny pieces. I only use the blower when leaves are dry though so not sure on wet leaves.