EXPLORE
Autumn Tidy Up

Autumn Tidy Up

For many gardeners the autumn tidy-up can be a busier time of year than spring. It’s now time to tidy up pots and window boxes and replant with winter bedding. One autumn job that takes time, is the arduous task of lifting leaves. With autumn winds, leaves start to fall leaving the garden untidy and causing problems not only to the lawn area but also to low growing plants and the pond.

Dead leaves on the lawn can pose a problem. Leaves smother the grass by cutting off light and the weight of wet leaves presses down on the grass. In a short time the grass turns yellow and dies back. If the leaves are not removed this can leave bare patches and if there is a complete carpet of leaves weeds and moss can invade. Where the cover is not complete the grass struggles between the leaves and survives but is much weaker. Apart from the lack of light and the smothering effect of the leaves, toxins released by the rotting leaves can affect grass growth.

With low-growing plants leaves can also be a problem. Dead leaves fall and start to gather on top of the plant smothering growth and falling down into the centre of them. As the leaves start to decay they rot off the existing plant leaves and new growth. Eventually the plant stems start to rot killing off the plant. When tidying up bed areas, were possible lift off the dead leaves from the top of the plant and remove those which become lodged down in the stems.

The pond is another area of the garden in which dead leaves can cause problems. If dead leaves are allowed to accumulate in the water it will soon turn rank. This in turn reduces oxygen. Oxygen is needed by both pond plants and fish to survive. Pond nets are helpful and should be used over the autumn and winter, collecting dead leaves and wind blown debris.

Some gardeners will have invested in a leaf vacuum or blower but most of us will have to make do with a leaf rake and lots of elbow grease. If you have a gardener shredder you can use it to break up tougher leaves e.g. sycamore. This helps to speed up the decaying process.

Don’t forget you can collect your dead leaves and place in a strong black bin liner. They will decay over a period of a year to a year and a half making a lovely crumbly soil conditioner.