Leaves. Chances are, if you’re a homeowner, you have a lot of them lying around right about now. Here something new you can do with them instead of throwing them away! Create leaf mulch, which you can use to insulate tender plants in the winter, while enriching the soil. Leaf mulch decomposes lowly, creating Mother Nature’s version of slow-release fertilizer. You can do this by filling a big with leaves, tying it off, and poking about 12 holes around the bag. Shake the bag periodically, and after about a year, the leaves will turn into mulch that’s better than any you can buy from a store!