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Don't Bin Leaves: Unlock Garden Gold!
14 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Fallen leaves can be transformed into valuable soil enhancers.
- Leaving leaves improves soil and provides shelter for wildlife.
- Composting or bagging leaves for a year creates rich leaf mould.
As winter blankets gardens, a common impulse is to clear fallen leaves. However, horticultural experts strongly advise against discarding them, highlighting their immense value for garden health. These leaves are not mere debris but potent resources that can significantly enhance soil quality and support local ecosystems.
Instead of binning, leaves can be directly applied as mulch to garden beds, where they will naturally decompose over winter. Another effective method involves adding them to compost bins or worm farms. For those seeking a refined soil conditioner, leaves can be bagged and stored for approximately one year to produce nutrient-rich leaf mould.
The Royal Horticultural Society echoes this advice, emphasizing that leaf mould is a cost-free, organic soil enhancer. Producing it is simple: gather leaves, moisten if dry, place in a perforated bag or a simple enclosure, and allow them to decompose for a couple of years. This practice effectively recycles garden waste into a beneficial material.
