Utalising Autumn Leaves

[Chipchopper]

Instead of blowing leaves from one place to another or putting them out to be collected, why not use them as a mulch around tender plants to protect them from cold winds and frost etc and allow them to break down naturally.
The rotting process can be speeded up by using a garden shredder, or simply spreading the leaves out over the lawn and running a mower over them to chop them smaller..
A 6 inch deep mulch should be ideal.
Any surplus leaves can be added and mixed in to your compost or stored in polythene bags (punched with holes) and stored for a year or so, for later use.

[Mamyalynne]

Save the prettiest ones for children ideal craft work accessory - collages and greetings cards.

[Chipchopper]

Verry true Mamyalenne,
The maples take some beating!

[Tilly2]

6 inches of mulch? That sounds like an awful lot, Chip. How do you stop them all blowing back on the lawn?

[Chipchopper]

Shredded up fine Tilly, they don't tend to catch the wind as much.
Just let the worms pull em down.

[douglas9401]

I agree with Tilly, 6" is a bit mulch.

[Tilly2]

I have lots of leaves but no shredder.

[woofgang]

I get lots of leaves and ha! "leave" them where they are if they are not on paths. They mulch down where they lie and improve the soil everywhere..I know its supposed to kill off patches of lawn but I don't find this happens. Tilly , lay your leaves out where (or near to it) you want to use them and run the mower over them a couple of times

[Tilly2]

I'll get Mr T to do that, Woof :-)

[jno]

you could so them together and make aprons? I believe there is a precedent.

[Hopkirk]

Leaf blowers. What's that all about?

[woofgang]

or breeches Jno....depends on your version