The same thing every year - with autumn comes the big shedding of leaves. Trees, shrubs and perennials lose their leaves within a few weeks. Collecting and removing the fallen autumn leaves can prove to be a tedious task. But is that even necessary or can you save yourself the time and effort? We take a closer look at the question of whether you should leave the leaves lying there or rake them.
Where in the garden can you leave the leaves and where should you rake them?
The question of whether you should leave the leaves there or remove them is very controversial. Some advocate for it, others - against it. The answer is actually very simple: There are areas in the garden where it is better to leave the autumn leaves and there are areas where they should definitely be picked up.
Do not leave leaves lying on the lawn
The lawn is an area that is very sensitive to autumn leaves. If there are still a few leaves from the nearby bush, then the grass won't mind. However, if a layer of leaves covers the lawn, you should definitely remove it. The autumn leaves are gradually decomposed. Combined with moisture, they can begin to rot as they decompose. As a hobby gardener, you definitely want to avoid this rot formation. If the sensitive blades of grass rot, reseeding in the spring will not help. You have to remove the satchel and put it back on. An expensive and time-consuming task that can be avoided.
Remove leaves from the lawn:Remove the autumn leaves as quickly as possible. Otherwise they will stick to the floor after a few days and can then only be removed with special devices. However, until you clear the entire lawn of fall leaves, the grasses may suffocate or rot. That's why the rule of thumb is: act as quickly as possible.Dry leavesYou can rake, but you need special equipment for wet autumn leaves. With a leaf collector you can quickly clear large areas of autumn leaves.
Pick up fall leaves on garden paths and driveways for safety reasons
Autumn leaves, rain and natural stone surfaces are not a good combination. The risk of slipping is too high. What's more, you can't see what's hiding under the autumn leaves that could hurt small garden animals. It is therefore best to regularly collect and dispose of the leaves on garden paths.
Remove autumn leaves from garden paths and terraces:Removing fall leaves from a natural stone patio is not a difficult task. All you need is a leaf broom and a little patience. But things are different if you want to keep a gravel path clean. If leftover leaves remain between the gravel stones, they provide breeding ground for weeds and wild herbs in spring. ALeaf blowers can help with thisto clear the gravel path of leaves. However, you can only use the device during the specified times because it makes a lot of noise that can be heard far beyond your own property. So that you don't have any trouble with the neighbors, it's best to arrange a suitable time with them and only then turn on the device.
Leave leaves lying on the bed and use as fertilizer
In contrast to the lawn, where it is recommended to collect the autumn leaves, the autumn leaves can be left on the flower and vegetable bed and used as a natural fertilizer. What is particularly important is that the leaf layer is not too thick. So if the flower bed is directly under a deciduous tree, then you might want to collect at least some of the autumn leaves. But leave a finger-thick layer of leaves. This brings the following advantages:
- The autumn leaves protect the plant roots from frost.
- They prevent the water from evaporating quickly in winter.
- They rot slowly and therefore act like a natural long-term fertilizer, gradually supplying the soil with nutrients.
- The autumn leaves provide protection for many beneficial insects in the garden. These include earthworms, for example, which loosen the soil.
Raking leaves: This is how you can remove autumn leaves quickly and easily
1.Remove the autumn leaves with a rake.Admittedly, no one is happy when the time comes to rake leaves again. But with the right gardening equipment and tools, the task can be completed faster than usual. For small areas, such as flower or vegetable beds, you can remove the leaves with a rake and then collect them with a shovel.
2.Use leaf vacuum:The petrol leaf vacuum is very loud. A device with an electric motor is comparably quiet, but you need an electrical connection (socket) nearby.
Dispose of or compost the autumn leaves: an overview of the options
You can compost some of the autumn leaves. However, since leaves make up no more than a fifth of all compost components, the amount that is suitable for composting is rather limited. Another small part of the autumn leaves you cankeep for crafting. You must pack and dispose of the rest as directed by the municipality or bring it to a special collection point near you. Small quantities can be disposed of in the organic waste bin. However, it is strictly forbidden to burn autumn leaves (high risk of fire and very dangerous!), to dispose of them in residual waste (is punishable with a fine) or in nature (also a fine and in no way environmentally friendly).
