As winter sets in, many of our green spaces will be covered in fallen leaves. Some might be tempted to get out in the garden and have a good sweep, yet experts have urged people to think twice before reaching for the bin.
Simply piling up the leaves and throwing them away will see you losing out on some huge benefits. Thankfully, a garden expert has shared their own tips on what to do with the leaves and revealed how they can actually help your outside space. Helen Hutchings Cox revealed what she does in her own garden as the leaves fall.
She shared four ways she uses fallen leaves instead of throwing them away. Helen demonstrated her tips on her Instagram account, helenlikesplants, as she urged: “Where possible, I just leave them alone where they fall.
“They massively improve your soil and give animals and insects places to hide over winter.” If you do have leaves that have fallen on your grass, Helen advised: “If they fall on my lawn, I just sweep them to the side.
“You can use them directly as a mulch on your beds and they’ll break down over winter.” For people who have a compost bin or would rather not see the leaves in their garden space, Helen shared another tip.
“You can add them to your compost bin or worm farms,” she said. “Or you can store then in a bag or bin for a year and they’ll break down into leaf mould, which is a lovely soil additive.”
Helen quipped: “Whatever you do, don’t throw them away.”
The Royal Horticultural Society is also keen on the idea of keeping hold of leaves fallen from the trees. They have explained how leaves can break down into leafmold, which is an invaluable free soil conditioner.
They said: “Making leafmould is a great way to recycle what would might otherwise be garden waste into a form of organic matter that’s perfect for mulching. The best leafmould is produced from the leaves of oak, beech or hornbeam.”
To make leafmold, simply gather up your leaves and place them into a bin bag. If they are dry, moiten them and then pierce holes into the bag. Tie it up loosely and stack them out of sight for up to two years.
You could also make a frame from chicken wire and stakes. Simply place your leaves into the frame, ensuring it is in a sheltered spot so they don’t bloe away.
Comments are closed.