As consolation for NOT being in Italy, I’d like to comment on leaf mould. What magical stuff. Last fall, I had to move and heel in for the winter a whole raft of plants while my deck was being reconstructed. These included a peony, ancient mock orange, two clematis, heucheras, Japanese painted ferns and more. I tucked them into my spacious leaf composter which had a thick floor of leaf mould. This week, with the new deck finished and the beds prepared, I went to rescue my plants. Lo and behold, the painted ferns had multiplied gorgeously and now form a dense and flourishing mat two feet across. All the other plants were similarly huge and strong, despite being in dense shade. What an amazing comment on the powers of leaf mould! Now that my composter is available again, I’m going to shred the eight bags of leaves that have been patiently waiting while the plants used up their space. This must be the best stuff ever….

Sounds like a good consolation prize. I cannot understand why anyone throws out their leaves, even stacked in a wee corner they will continue to work their magic. Right now I have a clematis growing in my compost. Will be a treat to see what is is. Thanks Mich

mh