Gardeners must never throw leaves in the bin - put them in these three places instead

Many people rake up fallen leaves in the garden just to discard them but the crispy, colourful foliage has surprising benefits when kept

Gardeners are often seen raking up fallen leaves and discarding them, yet these autumnal cast-offs can be surprisingly beneficial if used correctly. Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra, a top garden tool retailer, suggests using the leaves as mulch, which he considers one of the most "effective" winter plant care methods.

He said: "Although fallen leaves may be seen as troublesome to some gardeners, they can be used as an effective, natural (and free! ) mulch."

This organic material can protect plants from winter's harsh conditions when spread over lawns, flowerbeds, and in plant containers. Peter notes that mulching is particularly advantageous for three main areas in the garden, including the lawn itself.

He advises: "It's important to remove fallen leaves from lawns as quickly as possible as they can easily suffocate the grass, starving it of oxygen and, eventually, killing it. However, removal isn't the only answer."

He recommends using a mulching mower to mow the leaves into the lawn, enriching the soil and helping retain moisture through the colder months. Additionally, creating shredded mulch from finely chopped leaves can be another excellent resource for gardeners, reports the Express.

"Making shredded mulch, which is essentially leaves that have been chopped up into fine pieces, is another useful resource for the garden. To create this rich, dense material using freshly raked leaves, simply run all of the dry ones through a shredder." Peter warned against shredding wet leaves as this could harm the machine. 

Peter praises the merits of leaf mulch in gardens, stating: "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."

He recommends that you sprinkle shredded mulch around delicate plants and press it into the soil for decomposition. When it comes to utilising unwanted leaves outdoors, composting stands out as the third and most popular method. Peter explained that this eco-friendly practice transforms organic materials like leaves and kitchen waste into nutrient-rich soil, saying: "Fallen leaves are the perfect source for making compost...For the most nutritious and effective compost, first collect with a leaf blower, then mix moist (but not wet) leaves with green materials such as grass clippings and vegetable peelings."

The gardening guru suggests mixing the compost at least once a month for oxygen circulation. As the materials break down, they develop into rich, dark compost, which Peter says will keep your plants and turf in "perfect condition" for spring.

To accelerate the decay rate, aim for a mix ratio of three to four parts 'brown' compost material (such as leaves), and one part 'green' (grass clippings, coffee grounds, potato peelings and plant cuttings). It's important to avoid adding meat scraps, bones, grease, whole eggs, or dairy products to the compost pile because they decompose slowly, cause odours, and can attract rodents.