Thinking about disposing of the leaves accumulated in your garden? Hang on — they can actually be good for the soil.
Indeed, recycled leaves are an excellent fertilizer as they can keep the soil cool and prevent weed growth. And to create the recycled product or mulch, all you’ll need is a leaf shredder, which you can easily make at home. Wondering how? Read through my short guide on how to make a homemade leaf shredder.
Lawnmowers are undoubtedly one of the most common gardening tools found in households nowadays. And interestingly, the parts of an old or discarded lawnmower can be used to make quite an effective leaf shredder.
Though this might sound surprising, it’s one of the simplest methods and is pretty straightforward. I came to know about it from a neighbor and can never thank her enough for that, as the shredder works wonderfully for my daily mulching needs.
So, here’s how you’ll have to proceed to make this DIY leaf shredder:
Step 1: Placing A Wooden Block
Start off by placing the mower sidewise, and then put the wooden block in between the body and the blade of the machine. That way, the blade won’t move when you’re handling it.
Step 2: Loosening The Bolts
You’ll find bolts in the mower that are used for securing its blade. Loosen each of the bolts and take out the blade from the machine.
Step 3: Placing The New Blade
Once the old blade has been removed, position the new one, which will be the mulching blade. Here, you must ensure that you have tightened the nut.
Step 4: Replacing The Chute For Discharge
Next, you’ll have to replace the chute with a cover for discharge. Make sure to measure the chute beforehand so that you know the size of the cover you’ll need for the mower deck.
Step 5: Separating The Chute
Complete making the DIY leaf shredder by placing the cover on the chute. By doing so, you can check whether the bolt holes are aligned. Then, fix the bolts in the holes and tighten them firmly.
After you’ve followed all the steps listed above, your homemade leaf shredder will be ready for use. So, you can test it on the yard to ascertain if it’s working the way you want.
Wasn’t that a pretty simple method? So, now it’s time for you to go ahead with it.
But before you go, remember to purchase a mulching blade beforehand and have a screwdriver by your side when beginning with the process. Note that it won’t take more than a couple of hours if the steps are followed correctly.
That’s about it for today, but I’ll be back soon with more how-to guides and gardening tips. Till then, take care!