Put the collected autumn leaves into the opening of the shredder and wait a few seconds until the shredded leaves end up in the collecting basket at the bottom. So far, so simple. However, using a chipper is not entirely safe. And what actually happens to the shredded end product? This article explains how to use a leaf shredder, shows you which actions you need to pay particular attention to and gives tips on how best to use the chopped leaves.
Why should you chop leaves?
Chopping leaves reduces the volume of fallen leaves, makes them easier to dispose of and enables them to decompose quickly in the compost. The chopped garden waste can be used as fertilizer or mulch to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Why shred leaves?
With a leaf shredder you can shred fallen leaves without much effort. This procedure is particularly recommended if you have to dispose of large amounts of leaves. When picking up leaves, you often need several garbage bags in a single day. However, if you shred the leaves, the volume decreases enormously. Not only do you save costs by using fewer garbage bags, but you also protect the environment by using less plastic bags.
Security
A shredder shreds the leaves in no time with ease. However, there is also a high risk of injury. You should therefore observe the following measures when handling the device:
- don't work hastily
- study the instructions carefully before use
- Always place the device at ground level
- Never let children play unsupervised near the chipper
- Switch off device before cleaning
- Only shred garden waste that is intended for the device
Recycling
After you have shredded your leaves, store them in the compost. Since the leaves are already shredded, they decompose even faster. Thanks to the preparatory work, you can sprinkle the leaves over your beds as fertilizer or mulch after just a few days. The decomposed leaves enrich the soil with important nutrients. However, you must ensure that mold does not form due to moisture.
