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Leaving fallen leaves in your garden won’t cause serious problems, though raking them up is advisable when they become slippery and wet. Removing the leaves is easy to do in just a few minutes, and there are several ways to put them to good use for your garden plants. According to Peter Chaloner, managing director of garden tool retailer, Cobra, turning them into mulch is one of the most “effective” ways to look after plants in winter.
He said: “Although fallen leaves may be seen as troublesome to some gardeners, they can be used as an effective, natural (and free!) mulch.”
The organic matter can be spread across lawns, flower beds and even in smaller plant pots to protect plants in winter.
Peter explained that there are three easy recipes for the decomposed leaves, each of which is best suited for different parts of the garden.
Here’s how to repurpose leaves for your lawn, compost heap and as a weed deterrent.
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Shredded mulch
Shredded leaves are churned up into small fragments to create a thick consistency.
According to Peter, making it is as simple as placing the gathered leaves through a shredder. It is best to avoid shredding damp leaves as they could damage the appliance.
The expert said: “Not only does leaf mulch suppress the growth of weeds and eventually improve soil as it decomposes, but well-shredded leaf mulch can also help to insulate plant roots from the frost, without blocking the penetration of essential nutrients, water and air.”
Sprinkle the shredded mulch around tender plants and firm it into the soil to break down.
As each element within the compost starts to deteriorate, a thick black compost will form, providing your plants and lawn with the perfect nourishment to keep them in “perfect condition” for spring.
To speed up the decomposition process, compost needs to have a good mix of brown and green materials.
According to Old World Garden Farms, a ratio of three to four parts brown to one part green is ideal for heating a pile fast.
They said: “In this case, the leaves are a lot of brown, so adding in some green is vital.”
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