Top Tips on Dealing with Fallen Leaves

Fallen leaves are a problem which all gardeners face at this time of year – but what’s the best way to deal with them? Here Madingley Mulch, garden mulch suppliers based on the edge of Cambridge, offer some top tips on what to do about this natural ‘windfall’.

Rake Them Up

You should always leave your lawn clear of leaves. Left unattended, they will create the perfect conditions for mould to thrive. A leaf-free lawn will also ensure the grass will grow more healthily in the springtime. Collect up the leaves with a high-quality universal rake or a leaf blower.

You should also keep leaves out of ponds and other water features. This is because the leaves will eventually sink to the bottom, decompose and form an unattractive sludge, which will encourage algae and other unwanted plant growth. Consider covering your pond with wire mesh (particularly if it’s close to a tree) or removing the leaves regularly with a device such as a dipping net.

Leaves can be left to decompose in flower beds, but only in moderation. While they return valuable nutrients to the soil, too many of them will block out the sun and can encourage diseases in prolonged spells of wet weather. The basic rule of thumb is if you can’t see the plants for the leaves, then you’re going to have a problem.

Mow Them

The alternative is to leave your leaves where they are and effectively mow them into the lawn. Put your machine on its highest setting so the leaves are shredded into tiny pieces, which then decompose within the surface of the lawn, providing an excellent soil conditioner.

Use Them as Compost

You can also add the fallen leaves to your compost heap or bin. To gain the maximum benefit, ensure the leaves are moist (but not wet) and mixed with green material such as grass clippings or waste vegetable matter. The compost should then be turned over once a month to allow the oxygen to circulate and help with the decomposition. Over time the leaves and waste will break down into a thick compost which can be spread over your beds, providing valuable nutrients for your plants and flowers.

If you don’t have the problem of clearing up fallen leaves, or don’t have the time or space to create a compost heap, then you can still give your plants a boost.  Madingley Mulch supply a range of soil conditioners, composts and mulches to gardeners across the Cambridge area which have proved highly effective in suppressing weeds and retaining moisture within the soil. These include Denise’s Delight and Tony’s Tonic, both of which contain a mix of horse manure, wood shavings and other plant nutrients.

Use Them as Insulators

Leaves make excellent insulators for colder areas of your home, such as basements, garages and garden sheds. Collect them up by whatever method you prefer, let them dry out and transfer them into bags. Packed tightly together, these will keep the immediate environment warm. Once winter is over you can still use them as part of a soil conditioner or compost.

Madingley Mulch – Garden Mulch Suppliers from Cambridge

As well as mulches, soil conditioners and composts, Madingley Mulch also stock a wide range of other outdoor gardening supplies. If you need any fencing, decorative stones or pebbles, edging, paving or patio slabs, then we are the people to contact. Follow this link to visit our online shop.

We offer free delivery on all orders within a 15-mile radius of our operation just outside Cambridge. There is a standard £20 delivery charge applied up to a radius of 24.5 miles, and we can also deliver further afield as well. Our weekly delivery routes include St Ives, St Neots, Huntingdon, Newmarket, Ely, Haverhill and Saffron Walden. Due to the coronavirus situation, we are currently aiming to deliver all orders within 2-3 weeks depending on product availability.

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