5 Uses for Autumn Leaves

There's something quite pleasant about raking up autumn leaves: it feels like such an ancient, seasonal practice that it connects you not only with the current yearly cycle, but to the same dependable rotations reaching back to the beginning of time.

So while you are out gently scratching the dormant turf of your lawn and feeling connected to the great mechanism that is our universe, you might as well do something useful with all the leaves you're collecting. As usual (and almost as dependable as the seasons themselves), Quickcrop comes to the rescue with our '5 good things to do with Autumn leaves' neatly laid out for your perusal below.

1. Compost them

Autumn leaves are perfect for adding to the compost heap as the 'brown' part of the mix. As you know, successful composting is all about a balanced mix of green (nitrogen) and brown (carbon) materials. The most common problem with home composting is too much green material, which results in a soggy and smelly compost bin.

How much easier is it to add a few layers of dry leaves to an imbalanced compost pile rather than tearing up old cardboard and paper?

• Be aware that leaves take time time to break down, so don't add them in big piles.
• Create layers, with a mix of leaves and the last of your grass clippings mixed with your usual compost ingredients.
• Chopping the leaves will help them compost quicker. A lawnmower can hoover and mulch them up.
• Alternatively, gather up a few hessian sacks of leaves and keep them in the shed for use next year. Brown material can be hard to come by in the summer, so now is the time to collect yours for free.

2. Make Leaf Mould

Leaf mould is a dark, crumbly material made from allowing leaves to break down completely (over a period of up to 2 years). Well-rotted leaf mould is used as a soil improver to break up dense, compacted soils and make it easier for plant roots to penetrate.

Leaf mould also stimulates the microbial activity in the soil, which in turn releases nitrogen and other nutrients to the roots of your plants.

Did you know that leaf mould also holds up to 500 times its own weight in water? It is perfect for improving the moisture-retaining qualities of your soil.

Don't be put off by the fact it takes 2 years to produce: simply add to your pile or leafmould cage every year and take the material off the bottom of the pile when it's ready.

See full article: How to Make Leaf Mould

3. Use as a Mulch

Shredded leaves provide you with an organic mulching material; one that can help protect your soil from erosion caused by heavy rain. Add a two to three inch layer over dormant winter beds, or use around winter plants like kale, winter cabbage and Brussels sprouts.

We don't recommend digging leaves into the ground as they will take too long to break down. Instead leave them on the surface and allow them to weather: they will add nutrients to the soil as they decompose, and will be incorporated into the soil by earthworms and micro organisms.

4. Provide a Habitat for Wildlife

A leaf pile in the corner of your garden can provide suitable habitat for shelter, nesting or overwintering. Various moth and butterfly species depend on leaf litter as a winter habitat, while hedgehogs and frogs will be drawn to the warm, moist environment. 

See full article: ​The Wildlife Benefits of Autumn Leaves

5. Mow them into your Lawn

If you're not convinced by the reasons for collecting leaves above - or you're feeling a bit lazy - you can simply mow them into your lawn. A fine layer of chopped leaves will break down over the winter and be incorporated into your lawn by earthworms.

The mix of nitrogen-rich grass clippings and carbon rich leaves will create a natural lawn feed to pep up your grass in the spring.

• Set your mower on the highest setting with the collection box off to chop the leaves into a fine mulch.
• Mow every week to create a fine mulch; if you leave it longer you may have to complete a few passes with the mower to achieve an even finish.

In Conclusion

So now you've no excuse. Get out and enjoy the crisp autumn weather and make use of the valuable and free soil improver falling from the trees.