A thick layer of wet leaves blocks light from your lawn, clogs drains and turns paths and decking slippery. Clearing them little and often is far easier than tackling one soggy heap in December. Here is how to pick the right method for each part of the garden.
Blow: for open spaces
Blowing is the quickest way to move leaves off lawns, patios and driveways. Work with the wind, not against it, and push everything towards one corner or onto an old sheet so it's easy to pick up. Keep the nozzle low and sweep from side to side.
Vacuum: for corners and borders
Vacuuming is better where blowing would only scatter things: around pots, along fences, in corners and under hedges. It also saves you bending down to bag the pile you've just made.
Shred: so the pile takes up less room
Whole leaves are mostly air. A garden vacuum that shreds as it collects packs far more into each bag, which means fewer trips to the compost heap. The Bosch UniversalGardenTidy 3000 does all three jobs: it blows, vacuums and shreds at a ratio of up to 12:1 into a 50-litre bag, and you can switch between blowing and vacuuming without tools.
Five tips for a quicker tidy-up
- Pick a dry day. Dry leaves move easily. Wet ones stick to the ground and can clog a vacuum tube.
- Clear the lawn first. Grass suffers most when it's covered.
- Watch for stones. Don't vacuum over gravel, and check for twigs and litter.
- Protect your ears and eyes. Garden blowers are loud, so wear ear defenders and glasses.
- Be a good neighbour. Avoid early mornings and late evenings.
Don't bin them: make leafmould
Shredded leaves rot down into leafmould, a free soil improver. The RHS suggests two simple ways to store them: in bin liners with a few holes pierced in the sides, moistened if dry and tied loosely, or in a simple wire-mesh frame in a sheltered spot. According to the RHS, shredding speeds up rotting. After about a year you'll have a rough mulch, and after two years or more it's fine enough to use in potting mixes.
Oak, beech and hornbeam leaves break down well. The RHS advises shredding thick leaves such as sycamore first, and putting evergreen leaves on the compost heap instead.
This guide is general information. Always read and follow the instructions that come with your tool, and wear suitable eye protection.
Sources: RHS: Leafmould
