Make leaf mould

FALLEN leaves can be a pain for any gardener because they harbour disease, can be a refuge for pests and smother the life out of plants. So it is essential to get them raked up as soon as you see them littering the garden.

But don’t throw them away. They can be composted to make leaf mould, which is useful as mulch and a soil conditioner.

Shreddy ready

Unless leaves are put through a shredder first, they can take up to two years to rot and break down to

Rake n’ vac

Pick the fluffy seed heads off them clematis and give a quick burst of hair them spray to preserve for making winter decorations indoors. a crumbly leaf mould. A rotary mower with blades set high can be used to collect leaves from lawns and cut them up as it collects. If you have a big plot, consider buying a garden vacuum to take the backache out of clearing up those leaves.

Choose a model that blows as well as sucks so you can easily clear leaves from the back of borders, gravel paths and other awkward places. In a small garden, a spring- tined rake is the best tool to coral the leaves into piles. Use a couple of wooden boards and grab and lift them into a large wire mesh bin.

In the bag

If space is limited, put the leaves in plastic bin liners with holes punched through the sides – they will let in air and allow excess moisture to drain away.

Stack them out of sight and once the leaves reach a crumbly texture, they can be spread as mulch throughout your borders.