As autumn arrives, gardeners will notice a change in their outdoor space
Garden experts are urging not to dispose of the leaves, but to do one important task instead(Image: Tom Merton via Getty Images)
Autumn has arrived at last, bringing with it a complete transformation for your garden. With blooms starting to fade and pest activity on the rise, gardeners face fresh challenges in the shifting conditions.
The most bothersome issue can be fallen leaves blanketing your grass and walkways; nevertheless, horticultural specialists strongly advise against binning the leaves, recommending one crucial alternative instead.
A specialist from Country Living explained: “While September brings a light scattering of leaves, the big leaf drop won’t happen until October and November. Still, I like to keep things neat and tidy, so I rake any fallen leaves into the garden beds. There, they act as natural mulch, conserving moisture and helping to keep weeds under control.”
What is mulch?
Mulch consists of a substantial layer of material, including compost or straw, which is spread over earth and surrounding plants, reports the Express.
It prevents unwanted vegetation like weeds from growing whilst retaining moisture in the ground, serving as a protective shield against wind and sunlight.
“Some mulches also contain nutrients, acting as slow-release plant food,” noted Gardeners’ World.
Why your garden requires mulch during cooler months
Autumn represents a crucial period for applying mulch to your outdoor spaces.
It provides insulation for the earth, preserving any lingering heat from the summer period. According to Burgon&Ball, mulch also “prevents waterlogging over the winter, as water drains away through the mulch. It prevents topsoil from being washed or blown away by winter storms. And as it’s likely you’ll be in the garden less over the winter months, it’ll keep weeds at bay until the spring.”
Fallen leaves, or what’s known as “leaf mould,” play a crucial role in your garden as they’re low in nutrients but serve as excellent soil improvers. Leaf mould forms when autumn leaves decompose through the gradual process of fungal breakdown.
How to create mulch using fallen leaves
To produce leaf mould, gather fallen leaves in a mould container or enclosure and allow them to decompose. “Small thin leaves such as birch break down fairly quickly, while large leathery ones such as chestnut benefit from being shredded first,” reported Gardeners’ World.
A gardening expert at Chelsea Green observed: “Some degree of shredding is necessary for composting leaves, because whole leaves tend to form a soggy mat that will take forever to break down.”
Elaborating further, they explained: “Another reason for shredding leaves is the twigs. Although I remove the larger branches for chipping separately, most leaves have a lot of fine twigs that are a nuisance to pick out, yet I don’t want them left whole. This is especially an issue with leaves collected in the forest or from lawns with big old trees” A gardening specialist at the RHS suggests that there’s no need for a costly shredder to accomplish this. Instead, you can merely gather leaves from the lawn using a rotary mower.
This method not only shreds the leaves but also incorporates grass cuttings, enhancing the nutrient value of the leaf mould.
(Image: Tom Merton via Getty Images)
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