Leaf mold is a a form of compost produced by the slow fungal breakdown of leaves before it finally turns into humus. Two main factors necessary to create leaf mold are sufficient moisture and the presence of oxygen from the air.
Leaf mold is used as a soil amendment because it provides nutrients and a moist growing medium for plants. It also prevents the soil from drying out.
Leaf mold is a very important part of soil organic matter, especially in temperate deciduous forests. The slow rate of decomposition that drives the production of leaf mold allows the nutrients previously tied up in the leaves to be slowly released back into the soil where they can be reused by plants.
Autumn leaves can be collected and keep in pits or containers to allow fungal decomposition to occur. The leaf mold is then used in organic gardening as compost.
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