If you have a garden then at this time of year you most likely have leaves littering your lawn, flower beds and any place else they might have fluttered on their way down from the branches.

Leaves that fall into flower beds can be left there as a winter mulch (any that remain in the spring should be removed again) but take care to remove any that fall atop bushes, hedges and lawns. They should also be removed from paths as they can become slippery and present a hazard.

When collecting leaves, avoid taking leaves from the drifts under hedgerows or secluded corners as they may be used as nesting areas for wildlife. Use only brown, fallen leaves and avoid evergreen leaves.

Fallen leaves can be gathered up and placed in a plastic bag (punched with holes) or a mesh leaf mould making bag. Once they are bagged up, place them in a dark corner and let nature do its work.  If the leaves are wet the moisture will help them to rot, if they are very dry give them a little water. Then, forget about them for a year or two. Leaves can also be added to your own compost bin.

If you have leaves that you don’t want to use yourself your local council may take them away or you can donate them to your local community garden or allotment.

Young leaf mould (1-2 years old) can be used as soil improver, a winter mulch for bare soil or as mulch for shrubs and trees. Older leaf mould (two + years) can be used a young leaf mould but also for mixing as a sowing component with potting compost.