Hello, fellow gardening enthusiasts! I'm Walter "The Worm Man" Bowne, here to share how you can support the environment while also cutting costs on expensive wood mulch and harmful lawn chemicals.

Much of my knowledge comes from hands-on experience and learning from experts like Mike McGrath of NPR’s "You Betcha Garden," as well as books on composting and insights from my ecologist brother, Dave.

It just makes sense—why let humans disrupt nature's balance by introducing toxins into our water or depleting forests for artificial mulch when we can harness what nature provides us?

Forget traditional raking and bagging those fallen leaves! Instead, consider "mowing" them. Trust me, my New Jersey yard is filled with leaves from a massive oak, a red maple, and a Sweetgum, not to mention those blown in from neighbors' trees.

Does nature respect township regulations?

I once made the mistake of asking my younger daughter to collect Sweetgum seed balls from the lawn, promising her a penny each. She handed me a bill for $30!

In the past, I would rake leaves with my daughters or even my mother-in-law—bless her heart—sweeping them onto a tarp to haul to the curb for township collection every couple of weeks. I'd then dutifully drive to collect free leaf mulch, which was beneficial for plants and soil. But why bother with the middleman? Why pay for soil delivery when I could create nutrient-rich compost right in my own yard?

Absolutely!

Years ago, I decided to stop sending my yard’s organic matter to the curb. I now utilize a powerful battery-operated mower that I absolutely love. It requires no gas or oil and won't wake the neighbors at 8 AM with its noise, as it runs on an 80-volt battery.

Since I have multiple tools that share this battery system—such as a trimmer, blower, and chainsaw—I can charge two batteries simultaneously and swap them out. This approach is not only cost-effective but also better for the planet. My ultimate goal is to power my home primarily with renewable energy.

I'm a big advocate for battery-operated tools. Neighbors often stop to ask about their effectiveness. I manage to persuade nearly everyone who is open-minded and tired of dealing with the hassle and fumes of gas-powered machines.

I particularly like the Kobalt series, found at Lowe's. Just steer clear of corded mowers; I once owned one and found it a constant nuisance to manage the cord!

Using the Thrice-Mowed Technique, I reduce the volume of leaves significantly and enhance decomposition. After mowing, I empty the bag onto my lawn, especially in areas needing extra nutrients, and mow over the leaves two more times. This process decreases the original leaf volume by nearly two-thirds.

The reason is simple: anything not composted for my worms or garden beds is shredded enough to nourish my lawn gradually. That's how nature operates.

This method also accelerates decomposition. From a distance, my lawn appears clean, but a close inspection reveals tiny bits of leaves embedded in the grass, which will disappear by winter and early spring.

According to my brother Dave, a professor and ecologist, fallen leaves are rich in essential nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. The specific amounts vary depending on the plant type. These nutrients transition from organic forms to inorganic through a process called mineralization, largely facilitated by beneficial bacteria.

I stopped fertilizing my lawn years ago. Initially, I was concerned about weeds and crabgrass, but insights from nature experts proved effective. The few weeds that do pop up are manageable, allowing nature to take its course.

My brother has always been passionate about nature, and it took me time to appreciate its power, even with my basic scientific background.

I also use my 80-volt leaf blower to move smaller leaf piles to larger areas for mowing. It's electric and performs exceptionally well, albeit it drains the battery quickly, which is why I keep extras charged and ready.

I can operate the leaf blower at any hour without bothering the neighbors, though I still practice courtesy. It’s also effective for clearing garden paths and patios, and I use it to distribute leaves under my wisteria, providing a natural mulch that suppresses weeds, retains warmth, and contributes nutrients.

In fact, I might be overdoing it a bit, as my wisteria often requires significant pruning. However, the beautiful purple flowers and their fragrance in late spring make it worthwhile!

In areas prone to rainwater puddles, I mulch leaves multiple times and scatter them in depressions, where they'll quickly decompose into rich soil.

I utilize various containers to store my thrice-shredded leaves. One is designated solely for leaves. Keeping the leaves moist helps them break down faster, thanks to the heat generated by the black bin, along with the addition of worms. This process takes time; decomposition generally halts in cold weather, akin to hibernation.

But that's fine—the leaves will remain in place until spring, at which point I can use them as a soil additive instead of relying on chemicals. Just be cautious not to apply too much leaf mulch, as it can overfeed plants.

Believe me, I've learned this lesson well. I also avoid using mushroom compost—it benefits some plants but can be detrimental to others, such as blueberries and azaleas. It has caused issues for a few of my rhododendrons and Rose of Sharon trees.

I also collect pine needles from Craig’s pine tree next door, which serve as excellent natural mulch for my acid-loving plants like azaleas and rhododendrons.

If you've ever visited a place like Longwood Gardens, my favorite spot near Philadelphia, you'll see Master Gardeners using similar leaf and pine mulch on their beds, with little to no wood mulch in sight.

Much of my knowledge stems from direct observation and discussions with Master Gardeners—a potential retirement plan after my teaching career!

I also incorporate shredded leaves into my indoor worm composter along with fruits and vegetables, where the magic of composting happens quickly. My year-round Worm Hotel in the basement continuously produces "black gold." Make sure to source red wigglers from a trustworthy supplier and keep the bins moist, but not overly wet.

You don’t want to attract unwanted pests like soldier bugs!

To maintain a balanced mixture, aim for mostly brown materials like leaves and shredded newspaper. Occasionally, I microwave old vegetable scraps, like bananas, to break down their cell walls.

Just check with your spouse or roommate regarding any potential odors. Worms love warm food, so cover everything with shredded leaves or cardboard from Amazon boxes.

I avoid adding citrus and eggshells, as worms tend to shy away from citrus and eggshells don’t decompose effectively. I reserve the latter for plants like tomatoes, burying about a dozen shells per plant.

The little things in life bring me joy—like receiving a fresh shipment of 250 red wigglers from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. The worms hibernate in peat moss until I introduce them to the warmth of the compost bin, hydrating them with water. The bag stays on my wife's sewing table in the basement only for a brief moment.

Once I release the worms, I distribute them evenly, making sure to check the corners of the bag for any stragglers. A worm can consume its weight in a day, and they multiply, thriving between the trays.

I rotate the bins, adding fresh organic matter and new leaves. In a few months, I may find a tray filled with "black gold"—worm castings, which I humorously refer to as "worm poop." This nutrient-rich compost is used for both my indoor and outdoor plants.

My plants thrive—some even bounce back from what appeared to be death, transforming into vibrant life. Nothing goes to waste!

With cannabis being legalized in many places, perhaps I can leverage my green thumb and my black gold for some profit. I don't consume it, but as the saying goes, there are opportunities to be had!

Is this my retirement Plan B?

When my wife taught preschool, I introduced my worm composter to her students, explaining the natural cycle of worms. I encouraged them to hold the worms and shared how they thrive on organic matter.

When I find worms in my garden, I often place them in my compost bins, keeping them separate from the red wigglers indoors.

I like to surprise the kids with "worm tea" and "worm castings," illustrating how leaves and banana peels can transform into nourishing soil for plants. They affectionately dubbed me "The Worm Man."

Then, I read them the delightful children’s book, Diary of a Worm.

This isn't iced tea or brown ale—it's worm tea, a fantastic natural fertilizer for my plants. The "tea" collects in the basin of my "Worm Hotel," and I simply drain it from the spigot, then add more water to the compost to prevent it from drying out.

Proper maintenance of the lower bin is crucial, as worm castings can clog the holes, potentially causing leaks.

Is it any surprise that I no longer keep the worm hotel in our clothes closet? By the way, there’s absolutely no unpleasant odor. If you detect a smell or see an infestation of bugs and maggots, something is definitely amiss.

Avoid adding meat or dairy products—just don't! Stick to organic materials!

Expect a few fruit flies now and then; it’s simply part of nature.

Additionally, keep a small bin for fruit scraps and vegetable peels on the counter. When it fills up, add it to the compost and rinse with hot water.

Even if you compost just a little, or have leaf compost delivered to your home, or use a shovel and buckets like I did at the local compost site, you're doing a tremendous service to Mother Earth—and to future generations.

Why strip your yard of vital nutrients only to cover it with expensive chemicals for cosmetic appeal?

Crazy, right?

Happy gardening, People of the World!

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