Autumn foliage - what should be done with it?

Wet leaves are dangerous if they are left lying on a patio or paved areas as they can form a slippery brown carpet. For this reason, leaves should be regularly cleared from all pathways.

Fallen leaves should also be removed from tender shoots, grass, evergreens and the lawn since the plants may react to the damp leaves by rotting. The lack of light also gives rise to unsightly brown patches on the lawn.

But leaves are not unwelcome everywhere. A layer of up to 10 cm can be allowed to accumulate under trees, bushes, shrubs, and on cleared flower and vegetable beds. Ideally, the leaves should be gently worked into beds using a garden claw and covered with some soil so that they don't get blown away and so that the decaying process is accelerated. Taking these steps will ensure the rapid formation of fresh, rich organic matter which will help the plants flower in all their glory again next spring. The fast rotting leaves of flowering shrubs and fruit plants are best suited to this procedure, which is known as ground composting. With this extremely practical method of using large quantities of leaves, the nutrients in the leaves and cuttings act as ecological fertilisers. A covering of leaves over the plants keeps them warm and insulated and protects them from cold temperatures. Don't forget to remove any remaining leaves in spring, though, to allow the plants access to sufficient fresh oxygen and sunlight.

Autumn leaves are therefore not just inconvenient waste which we need to remove from our gardens. Quite the opposite, in fact:, with the right tips and tricks you can save a lot of money on organic matter and fertiliser.