Olbrich's Leaf Mulch Sale

Olbrich Leaf Mulch is made from leaves collected by the City of Madison that are delivered to Olbrich where they're composted outside during the winter. Starting in March, the leaves are double-shredded and bagged. Leaf mulch is beneficial for annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and in vegetable gardens. It cuts down on watering and weeding, recycles local leaves, and is credited for Olbrich's healthy looking gardens. This leaf mulch is available only through Olbrich.

Bags are $6.50 each (Each bag covers about 35-square feet at a depth of 3 inches.)
Bulk scoops are $40 (A bulk scoop is equal to about 8 - 10 bags of mulch.)

Leaf Mulch Benefits

• cuts down on watering
• recycles local leaves
• controls soil erosion and retains soil moisture
• regulates soil temperatures
• reduces weeds
• plants in beds mulched with leaves show reduced drought stress
• adds nutrients and improves soil structure
• beneficial for annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and in vegetable gardens
• made from a local product - the City of Madison saves the time and money required to haul leaves to outlying compost sites

Leaf Mulch Fact Sheet

Composition
Olbrich Leaf Mulch is made from leaves collected by the City of Madison during the height of the autumn leaf drop. Leaves collected at this time are primarily from ash, maple, and oak tress as well as a small amount from linden trees. There is very little other refuse (branches, bark, street sand, etc.) in the leaves delivered to Olbrich.

Process
The leaves are delivered to Olbrich where they're composted outside during the winter. Starting in March, the leaves are double-shredded and bagged. Olbrich also grinds large quantities of leaf mulch for use throughout the year in all of its gardens.

Olbrich Leaf Mulch pH
Tests to determine the pH of Olbrich leaf mulch indicate that it's neutral. In addition, soil tests of areas in Olbrich Gardens where leaf mulch has been used for many years indicate that the leaf mulch does not change the pH of the soil. Tests done by Rutgers Cooperative Extension at the State University of New Jersey confirm this finding.

Benefits of Leaf Mulch
Leaf mulch protects plants by controlling soil erosion and retaining moisture in the soil. During hot dry weather, plants in beds mulched with leaves show reduced drought stress. As leaf mulch breaks down and is incorporated into the soil, the mulch adds nutrients and improves soil structure. Leaf mulch is beneficial for annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and in vegetable gardens. Olbrich Gardens uses leaf mulch throughout the gardens.

In addition to being excellent mulch, Olbrich leaf mulch is made from a local product. By using leaves from the fall collection, the City of Madison saves the time and money required to haul leaves to outlying compost sites.

When to Apply
Springtime application of leaf mulch is often done when the gardener has time. However, if possible, it's best to apply leaf mulch to perennials after beds have been cleaned up, and plants have been divided and re-planted. Ideally, mulch should be applied just as the perennials begin to emerge.

With annuals and vegetables, leaf mulch should be applied immediately after plugs are planted or seedlings are emerging.

Coverage
Each bag of Olbrich leaf mulch covers a 35 square foot area when applied at a depth of 3 inches.

UPCOMING Events

Winter Concerts

Children of the Rainforest:  Ton Ko-Thi African Dance and Drumming

Children of the Rainforest:  Viv Ncaus Hmong Dance Troupe

Indulgence! Wine & Chocolate Tasting

Spring Flower Show:  Secret Spring Gardens

Chocolate:  The Bitter and the Sweet