Non-mechanized leaf shredding

[zrzuce]

I want to shred this fall's leaves for mulch in my flower beds. But, I do not own any power tools: no rotary lawn mower, no weed-eater, no shredder, etc.

Does anyone know of a way to shred several trees' worth of autumn leaves without the use of some gas or electric powered machine?

Comments

[eqfe]

If they're really dry you could beat them with a nunchuk or some other tool where two sticks are tied to gether loosely with a thong or string. Once they are damp, this doesn't work to well.
What I do it wet them down really well, pile them up and then starting in a month or so sliceing down the pile with a spade I've sharpened with a file. Its not shredding, but it does reduce the size and aid decomposition. A heavy mattock would work better, but I don't own when and they are not cheap.

[ayse]

Traditionally this was done by chopping the leaves with large knives, like machetes. It's very hard work, and the possibilities for injury are many (wear steel-toed boots and very tough pants). If it were me I'd rent/borrow a tool or just mulch with unchopped leaves.