Purpose
Urban soils are devoid of healthy topsoil mostly due to its removal during development. Without this topsoil layer, it is very difficult for plants to thrive and be healthy. The simplest way to build the soil is by leaving leaves around the plants to decompose naturally. If that is not an aesthetically pleasing option, then the next best thing is to rake all of the leaves into a pile, preferably in a rear corner of your property, and leave them to decompose.

After a few short months the pile of leaves will turn into compost and can be spread throughout your yard providing food for the soil and plants. The City of Falls Church offers a free leaf mulch program.

If you must use other types of mulch, shredded bark, composted organic matter, or manure and chipped tree branches and wood are also options. These are all great food sources for the soil and plants.