Fallen leaves are not garden rubbish. Left to decay, they become leafmould, an invaluable free soil conditioner.1 Autumn is the time to start, because that is when most leaves fall.1
Autumn is your moment to rake the lawn, clear the pond and start a leafmould pile.1 Each job is small, and together they turn a messy chore into something your garden can use. A rake for the lawn and a net for the pond are the main tools for the job.3,5
What to Do With Fallen Leaves
Don't bag them up; use them.2 Fallen leaves are nature's mulch: a slow-release soil conditioner, wildlife habitat and weed suppressant all in one.2 Bagging them means missing out on one of the garden's most valuable free resources.2
With a little effort, the leaves that fall in your garden this autumn can become something your plants will love next year.2 That is the whole idea behind leafmould. You gather what the trees drop, and time does the rest.
Fallen leaves also work as wildlife habitat.2 Consider leaving a small heap at the back of a border.
Rake Leaves Off the Lawn
Start with the grass. A thick layer of wet leaves will block light and air, killing the grass beneath.2 Work in strips from one side of the lawn to the other so you do not miss a patch.
Use a spring tine rake to gather all the leaves from your lawn.5 That helps you avoid brown patches, and it protects against fungi and diseases that damp conditions can encourage.5
Make it a family job. Children can carry leaves in a bucket while you rake. Everyone should wash their hands afterwards.
Your October Toolkit
Match the tool to the job before you start:
- A soft pronged leaf rake for borders.3
- A stiff brush for paths and drives.3
- A net for collecting leaves from ponds.3
- Sturdy gloves for you and any small helpers.
Net Your Pond
Do not forget the water. It is particularly important to clear leaves from ponds before they decompose and release carbon dioxide into the water.3
If you have a garden pond, make sure you remove fallen leaves with a net.5 Lift the leaves out slowly and let the water drain back before you move them. Work carefully at the edge, and keep children and pets back while you scoop.
How to Make Leafmould
Begin by collecting. Gather fallen leaves from your garden or local areas.4 Avoid leaves from busy roads, which might contain pollutants.4
Leaves rot at different speeds, and the best leafmould is produced from oak, beech or hornbeam leaves.1
Thick leaves such as sycamore, walnut, horse chestnut and sweet chestnut need shredding before they join the leafmould pile, as they are much slower to break down.1 They can go into the compost instead.1
New to this? Start small. Making leafmould is rated as an easy job.1
Put Your Leafmould to Work
Making leafmould recycles what might otherwise be garden waste into organic matter that is perfect for mulching.1
Spread it around your plants and over bare beds when it is ready. Your soil gets a free boost, and your bin stays emptier.
Pace Yourself Through Autumn
Autumn is when most leaves fall, so keep an eye on the lawn and the pond through the season.1 Little and often is kinder to your back.
Keep Little Helpers Safe
Wear gloves when you handle leaves and tools. Keep children and pets well back from the pond edge, and put rakes, brushes and nets away when you finish. Wash your hands before you come inside.
A Simple October Plan
Begin at the pond, then move to the lawn, borders, paths and drives. Shred any thick leaves, and start your pile in its quiet corner. Do the jobs one at a time, and the leaves you gather can become something your plants will love next year.2