"Leave the leaves this Autumn" - advice from a Kildare nature expert
Nuala Madigan from the Irish Peatland Conservation Council in Kildare, gives us some autumn advice
It is that time of year again and I am taking advantage of this week’s piece to remind everyone of the value of autumn leaves. If your home is like mine, I am sure autumn leaves have started to gather at your front door, along your side passage way, or around your back garden.
At some stage this autumn, we will all put our gloves and hats on, get our sweeping brushes out and begin to gather the fallen leaves. Many of your autumn leaves will be put in your brown bin where they will be composted, but this year I remind you to consider storing some autumn leaves for use in your garden next year.
Did you know a leaf pile makes a great hibernation ground for hedgehogs and frogs? Storing some leaves will add a valuable carbon based material for your compost heap when you begin cutting your lawn next spring. You could also store some in plastic bags or netting and leave them under a hedge or at the back of the shed for two years and the leaves will create leaf mould. After this time, you will still be able to recognise the leaves but when you touch them they will crumble.
This leaf mould is a fantastic alternative to bark mulch, as it acts in the same way. The leaf mould, when put around your flower beds or vegetable patches, will help to suppress weeds and it will store moisture in your growing areas. When the sun begins to evaporate water from the earth’s surface, it will first take that moisture from your leaf mould, leaving the soil that your flowers or vegetables are planted in nice and damp.
For those of you that enjoy growing from seed, leaf mould is also low in nutrients making it an ideal potting material to get your seeds germinated. So this autumn, when gathering your autumn leaves, consider keeping some on your garden, you might be surprised at how useful they are.
If you would like help identifying a wildlife observation contact me at the on 045-860133 [email protected].
- Nuala Madigan - The Irish Peatland Conservation Council of Ireland, Lullymore