As we head into winter, our garden bounty diminishes – which, along with plunging temperatures, can make life harder for the wildlife in our back gardens.
What we do get an abundance of, however, are leaves. Deciduous trees are expected to drop their colourful confetti until about November.
And considering some areas saw earlier leaf fall than usual this year, the mounting mulch might already be proving an issue for keen gardeners.
Of course, slippy leaves can prove problematic on paths and driveways, and if left in an unorganised layer on your lawn, damp leaves can also cause mould.
But when it comes to your garden as a whole, there are more reasons than you might think to avoid removing them.
1) Fallen leaves can be great for wildlife
Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, Eric Michels, Head of Pro at CJ Wildlife, said: “One of the best things you can do with fallen leaves is to leave them for wildlife!”
Shoving them into a heap in a less-used corner of your lawn, he added, can help: “Hibernating mammals, such as hedgehogs, frogs[,] or toads.”
These “will use leaf piles to create a nest where they will stay throughout winter, while insects and invertebrates will love the dark, damp nooks and crannies that it has to offer” – indirectly attracting robins, sparrows, and more.
2) They can provide “black gold” compost
Leafmould compost, which the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) referred to as “black gold”, is beneficial for your garden.
The steps are simple: store the leaves in a leaf bay if possible (perforated extra-thick bin bags, popped in your shed once drained, if not) and wait.
Monty Don said running your leaves over with a rake before placing them in a wire-covered bay can speed the process up even further.
3) They can work as a faster-acting mulch, too
Though it won’t quite provide the same nutrients as full-blown compost, you can create a leaf mulch right here and now by leaving the Monty-approved mown leaves on your garden.
“To make leaf mulch, shred leaves with a lawnmower, shredder or chipper to help them break down quicker,” Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, said.
“Spread a layer around your garden beds, borders and shrubs to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots from frost. As the mulch breaks down, it releases nutrients back into the soil, keeping it rich throughout the winter.”
4) Fallen leaves can retain your lawn’s moisture
Though he stated leaving a thick duvet of damp leaves on your garden can actually cause mould issues, Bonnett said a thinner layer can actually be beneficial.
“Instead of clearing every leaf, leave a thin layer on the ground,” he advised.
“This acts as a natural blanket, keeping the soil insulated and helping it retain moisture. It also improves soil structure as the leaves decompose.”
Well, looks like I’m packing my rake away for a bit…
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