How did you mash your leaves? In Lou Sassi's "Basic Scenery for Modelrailroaders" there is a section, "Leaf Me Be" that uses a blender to chop the leaves. Get one at a yard sale rather than the one from the kitchen. I got one for a dollar, haven't gotten to need it yet, but it won't upset the boss when I get to chopping stuff up.
Good luck,
Take a look at here, I have ordered the "dark" and "green" but haven't seen it yet to give you an opinion.
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/products.asp?dept=1233
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Sawdust? I'm surprised that Woodland Scenics or similar doesn't have a product.