What should I do with fallen leaves in my garden?

It's the time of year that leave turn to red or yellow and start to fallen on our lovely neat lawns and beds, but what exactly should you be doing with them?

Leaves need collecting up regularly during autumn months and early winter as they can damage your lawn, but instead of placing them on to the bonfire or taking to the rubbish tip, turn them into a great free fuel for your garden which is leaf mould – This really will be worth it's weight in gold.

"Leaves are a great source of "brown," high-carbon material for the compost."

Try to rake up at least once a week using if you can, a rubber rake or at least spring-tined lawn type though of course an ordinary garden rake can be used.  If you like power tools, then use a leaf blower to collate leaves into heaps overs your lawns / beds.

Many people will store the damp leaves within bin liners which have perforations, usually in dry storage areas such as sheds and garages (remember that varied leaves take shorter or longer periods to fully rot down).
You can also rot down your leaves within a cage in your garden, usually a simply structure of four wooden posts with wire netting tacked around them to contain the leaves.

"Leaf mould us usually made up of nothing more than fallen leaves from your garden, it's a great soil amendment."

Leaf mould is a good source of fibre that really helps your garden soil to both retain moisture and improve drainage. Leaf mould and using leaves within compost, will help you when you want to grow choice dwarf bulbs, unusual woodland plants, vegetables and your containers etc.

You can also mow your leaves for those who prefer not to collect and store them. This is a simple yet effect process involving you in no raking or collecting whatsoever, simply mow over them with your mower at it's highest setting which will break them down a distribute them evenly.

For plants that are ideal to plant during the Autumn months please do visit the Gardening Express website.