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When to remove fallen leaves

RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
in Problem solving
I have left the fallen leaves from overhanging trees in situ in my beds, just debating if I should remove them or let them stay as a kind of mulch? The birds like to pick through them looking for insects but are there are disadvantages to leaving them? 

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I leave them but if I grew very small plants like alpines I'm probably take them off


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    When my dad had this garden he always left the leaves laying, they would disappear by the summer, worms will take them down.
    I like to clear a few for the compost heap, some leave, some don’t.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I think it depends what's underneath. Big leaves can get very soggy and matted, thus keeping moisture on the crowns of perennials and/small bulbs. Something like birch leaves are much lighter and fluffier so could be left. It really comes down to personal preference, time and the weather! 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    It depends a lot on how many you have,too thick a covering on grass could kill it but a few won't matter.
    I sweep mine off the paths,so we don't slip on them over the winter,and then chuck them all on the garden.Nature knows how to make use of them.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
    We’re under 5 lime trees, so we get enormous quantities of leaves. I remove all the ones on the lawn and am making a big leaf mould pile this year. On the beds, I removed the leaves around bulbs. Am worried that the sogginess could cause problems for some plants by restricting air flow and harbouring those dreaded slugs! 😬 A second leaf mould pile may be the answer??? 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Good idea if you've got the room. We're going to enlarge ours later this year. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
    Lizzie27 said:
    Good idea if you've got the room. We're going to enlarge ours later this year. 
    @Lizzie27 Do you make yours in a heap or in bins/bags? Mine is just in a big heap by the compost. First time I’ve tried it so am curious to see the results (and how long it takes, am hoping it will be ready by the summer). V exciting! 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Hi RSA, our leaves are in a square chicken wire bin held by a wooden stake in each corner. Left over leaves are put into old compost bags with the sides pierced with a fork to let the air in and rain out. It's about a metre square at the moment but I want to either make it bigger or have two. Because it's right next to the hedge and we had problems with hedge roots and bindweed coming up through the base, I have suspended an old builders dump bag from the stakes and put the leaves in that in the hope it will stop the roots coming through.
     If you have room, it's good to have two or more leaf bins, so one can be rotting down (which can take 1-2 years) while you fill the other.  The only other problem we have found is the stakes seem to rot quite quickly so I'm considering replacing them with strong metal stakes.   
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • RedSquirrelAbroadRedSquirrelAbroad Posts: 74
    Ah, that’s interesting @Lizzie27 as our pile is also by a hedge (beech) and I hadn’t thought about the roots being a problem. Your solution sounds good, or perhaps a weed suppressing membrane can be put directly on the ground. If I make a second leaf mould pile we will have four piles in a row, 2x compost 2x leaf. Almost a cottage industry. 😂 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Good for you. If you use the weed membrane, it needs to be the really tough stuff - roots will penetrate the usual cheaper one.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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