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vanburenproud asked, and so I offer you my infinite expertise:

Sheet mulching is composting in place. If you search the internets for the term, you’ll come up with a zillion links.

Basically, a “proper sheet mulch” means clearing the ground with a weed whacker, laying down a thick layer of compost or grass clippings or manure. Any weeds you’ve pulled up and chopped up go in this layer.

And they laying down a barrier, like cardboard. Or newspaper. You’re supposed to be on the lookout for toxic ink if you use newspaper. That is already too much thinking for me, so I use cardboard.

Then laying down a thick layer of mulch: wood chippings and fall leaves.

And leaving it like that for the winter.

That is “proper sheet mulching.” Sometimes called lasagna beds.

If, however, you don’t have food waste, manure or grass clippings, or you’re nervous about rats, you can still do layers of:
whatever, followed by cardboard, then leaves.

And achieve the dual goals of richer soil and a not having to haul your leaves somewhere.