Last of the leaves
We’re just about at the point in the garden year where most of the clearing up has been done. The perennials have been cut back, the patio cleaned, the glasshouse insulated and the leaves cleared – well nearly. No ma er how diligent we are, there are always those last few leaves, possibly from the neighbours’ gardens, that are still floating about. A leaf blower would be overkill here but my team at Chelsea Physic
Garden had the perfect solution – introducing the leaf spiker! This simple device is li le more than a broom handle with a 15cm (6in) piece of thick straining wire a ached to the end. It works by stabbing the wire into individual wayward leaves. This gradually builds up a leafy lasagne as you stab your way around the garden. The leaves can then be pulled off and added to the leaf mould pile. Simple but effective.