Run over them with the lawn mower. They break down faster. Yes, you can buy bacterial powder to help break them down, but a shovelful of good old Florida soil will do just as well. It has all the bacteria and microorganisms you need. I used to chop up white button mushrooms (like you buy in the store) and toss those into my compost pile. They form mycelium that helps the organic matter break down better. You can also buy mushroom spores for this purpose.

The way I was taught to compost was a layer of leaves (brown) a layer of kitchen scraps, and a shovelful of dirt. Rinse and repeat.

Just don't pile them up around the tree trunks. That just invites insects and disease.

Black and Decker used to make an electric, Blower/Vac/Shreader. Mine lasted for many years until I recently pushed it past its limits with too many twigs. I have not yet found a replacement but still had several bags of large, dried mango leaves given to me by a friend. (I have no mature trees of my own.) I resorted to a manual edger and a large plastic trash can to chop the leaves small enough to work as mulch. It was work, (sort of like churning butter, LOL) but the job got done.

I want a leave Vacuum/shreader !!!! (have cheap blower)

I always say I'll just put the bag on the mower and run over the leaves, but we have so many weeds that I just dont feel right about mulching that much weed seeds.

I dont yet have a compost (all the out of plain site are also no much sun)

I have a couple of raked leaves in garbage bags... maybe I'll mow a spot in the yard , then add the leaves to that spot then mow that spot again with the mower bag... ugh. so much work it's times like this (the not fun stuff) I wish my hubby liked yard work/gardening.

Thanks Meg, I'll look for the Black and Decker. I've seen several models, but really don't want to spend a lot of money for a couple of times a year. It's a daunting task raking all those leaves, they get in everything.. ugh!

Now see, bellagirl, that's what you and I differ on. I like leaves in everything. My whole courtyard right now is full of leaves, and all the beds are too. Most of them will be eventually worked into the soil, but some will stay as mulch. I always consider covering them with mulch for looks, but then I'd just have to pull it all out and do it over the next year, but then, I don't have any deed restrictions nor do I have to deal with judgmental neighbors anymore.