What can be done with fallen leaves in the garden?

The fallen leaves can give you work, but they are not waste, because can be recycled and converted in a help for animals and biodiversity.

The orchard and garden can benefit from valuable nutrient-packed biomass. This is why you should never get rid of the leaves, they are too good for that. We give you five ideas on how you can take advantage of the fallen leaves in autumn

1. Pile of leaves for animal shelter

A large pile of leaves in a corner of the garden has many advantages. For hedgehogs, insects and other animals, these leaves are an ideal place to spend the cold winter months, because the leaves insulate and therefore offer a cozy shelter.

after winter, thousands of creatures break down the leaves and turn them into valuable humus, and the nutrients stay in the garden.

Since the leaves in the heap can be blown away by the wind, you can put them inside a basket made of thick wire mesh that can be transferred by animals. You can tuck twigs in so the leaves don’t compress too much when the weather is wet.

2. Mulch beds with fall leaves

Mulching consists of leaving or spreading organic material (leaves or grass clippings) on the ground. leaf mulch it acts as an insulating layer in winter and protects plants from the cold.

However, covering garden plants has another advantage: Microorganisms break down the leaves into organic material, providing the plants with important nutrients. They constitute a natural fertilizer.

Fallen leaves are the ideal mulch solution, especially for plants that are native to the forest or found at its edges. They are happy with the leaves they are used to from their natural location.

Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries also do best if you cover them with a layer of leaves in fall.

The leaves can also be left on cleared beds and raised beds over winter. They prevent the soil from drying out and that “weeds” spread.

3. Autumn leaves as protection against frost

Autumn leaves are optimal frost protection when placed in pots and around sensitive garden plants. You can protect the plants with a thick layer of leaves and also, if necessary, cover them with a jute bag. Do not over-tighten them, otherwise there is a risk of mold formation.

4. Leaves can be composted

If you don’t have room for a bunch of leaves in the garden, you can compost the leaves.

However, since the leaves rot slowly, you should mix them with nitrogen-rich garden material, such as grass clippings or vegetable scraps. This provides you with valuable humus for the next spring gardening season.

If you shred the leaves with the lawn mower, they will break down faster. Oak leaves rot slowly and should be used primarily as a compost for ericaceous plants (for example, rhododendrons, azaleas, and heathers) due to its low pH.

5. Leaves in the biological container

If you have already used the sheets for the proposals that we have given you and you still have leftovers you can throw them into the brown bins (biological waste) in your city.

However, keep in mind that You must discard the leaves of diseased trees, whose destination is the rejection container to prevent pathogens from developing in the compost. Burning leaves (and other yard waste) is illegal in most municipalities.

Keep the lawn free of leaves

Unlike vegetable crops and ornamental plants, the grass should be as free of leaves as possible in autumn and winter because it continues to grow in the cold season and depends on light.

Fallen leaves block light from reaching the lawn, which causes the appearance of yellow spots and could rot. But a sheet here and a sheet there aren’t a problem, so you don’t need to pick them up every day.

Keep walkways and driveways free of leaves

Wet leaves quickly become slippery and therefore pose a risk of falling, especially for older people. Therefore, leaves on driveways and driveways should be picked up promptly. It is best to remove the leaves with a rake or with a shovel and broom