This is not really a geographic specific question but I couldn't find a compost category and I live in Northern VA:

I have a nice space behind a shed that I would like to use to store fall leaves. .Right now there is underbrush growing but no over head trees and short chain link fence and no brush growing on the other side. I don't really like weed fabric but what can I do to prep the ground here so that i can minimize weeds and other underbrush and create more of a dirt floor to put the leaves on. Any thoughts would be most appreciated -- thank you!