leaf covering - Ask Extension
I have forked up my 800sq ft garden and then put 3 to 4 inches of leaves on top. This spring when I begin to prepare the garden I will rototill the co...
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leaf covering #923586
Asked January 13, 2026, 2:43 PM EST
I have forked up my 800sq ft garden and then put 3 to 4 inches of leaves on top. This spring when I begin to prepare the garden I will rototill the complete space.
Should I rototill the leaves into the soil or should I rake the leaves off and then rototill with compost material on top?
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Thanks for contacting Ask Extension! I have a couple questions.
1. Did you mow/shred your leaves before putting them in your garden plot?
2. Are the leaves from a landscape tree or a fruit tree?
3. What are you planting first in your garden this spring?
Looking forward to your response!
1. Did you mow/shred your leaves before putting them in your garden plot?
2. Are the leaves from a landscape tree or a fruit tree?
3. What are you planting first in your garden this spring?
Looking forward to your response!
- This plot is at one of the community gardens and the leaves are delivered by the truck load from Republic I suspect.
- My guess they are from landscape trees.
- Garlic and shallots are in already and next will be Broccoli and Cauliflower. Starting the seeds now and will plan to transplant early April.
- Before planting I want to put a layer of compost or fertilizer in and then rototill the lot.
Thank you for your response and I hope I have been able to clarify some items.
Can you recommend a good source of compost and or fertilizer here in Corvallis.
Cheers
alastair
Thanks for the added details about your garden plot. Sounds like you will have some good eating this summer!
Here is a link to an OSU publication about improving Garden soils with Organic Matter. (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1561-improving-garden-soils-organic-matter) Note that this document says to add 1 to 2 inches of leaves in the fall and then till or dig them into the soil. Your plot has 3 to 4 inches which would probably add too much organic matter to your soil. I recommend you rake part of the leaves into a compost pile. You can use them as topping mulch in the summer after they have decomposed. The remaining leaves can be rototilled into the soil.
A word of caution. Don't rototill your plot if your soil is still wet. If you can squeeze water out of a handful of soil then wait!.
This next link is to the Corvallis Garden Resource guide: https://sustainablecorvallis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_Garden_Guide.pdf
Page 8 & 9 has a list of bulk soil and compost resources. For fertilizers, refer to sections on garden centers and garden equipment and supplies.
If you haven't done so already, consider having your soil tested to determine the pH, organic matter content and nutrient needs
Hope this helps!
Here is a link to an OSU publication about improving Garden soils with Organic Matter. (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1561-improving-garden-soils-organic-matter) Note that this document says to add 1 to 2 inches of leaves in the fall and then till or dig them into the soil. Your plot has 3 to 4 inches which would probably add too much organic matter to your soil. I recommend you rake part of the leaves into a compost pile. You can use them as topping mulch in the summer after they have decomposed. The remaining leaves can be rototilled into the soil.
A word of caution. Don't rototill your plot if your soil is still wet. If you can squeeze water out of a handful of soil then wait!.
This next link is to the Corvallis Garden Resource guide: https://sustainablecorvallis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_Garden_Guide.pdf
Page 8 & 9 has a list of bulk soil and compost resources. For fertilizers, refer to sections on garden centers and garden equipment and supplies.
If you haven't done so already, consider having your soil tested to determine the pH, organic matter content and nutrient needs
Hope this helps!
