09:53 - 21 October 2010
A golden carpet of leaves on the lawn can look quite a picture, but left hugging the lawn and garden for any length of time and they could spell trouble.
Leaves are not particularly fussy where they fall, and end up clinging to the lawn, beds, borders, paths and even around the pond. Starved of light and air all these areas become susceptible to a variety of potential pests and disease problems.
With a little regular attention and the right tool for the job you can quickly clear fallen leaves and use them to make valuable leaf mould or soil conditioner for the garden.
There are plenty of makes and models of leaf rakes to choose from. Generally, leaf rakes should have tines that are like flat ribbons and that do not spear the leaves. Don’t just opt for the cheapest rake in the garden centre; it may not be the best choice for you or your garden. Save time, effort and money and choose the right tool for the job. If you have a large garden consider purchasing a garden vacuum and blower, these are available as electrical or petrol powered machines, designed to blow the leaves into a pile and then vacuum them up. Most require a tube change to swap from blow to vac and the attachment of a leaf-collecting bag. One of the major benefits of using a powered machine is that the leaves are normally partially or fully shredded before they reach the collection bag so that you can collect a larger quantity between emptying and so that the leaves break down more quickly. The drawbacks are that the length of the cable restricts an electric model and a petrol machine is noisy in use. Both types can be heavy and tiring to use for long periods.
Looking after your rake
Remove all leaves that have become spiked on the tines during use.
Clean off any dirt and debris before storing your rake. Dry off any moisture.
Hang the rake up or store it with the head uppermost, so that the tines are not taking the full weight of the tool, this will prevent them from distorting.
Protect your rake from damp, rain and moisture that could damage the wood and if possible store in a frost-free shed.
When storing for long periods wash the tool thoroughly, spray metal tools with a gentle layer of WD40 and wipe over with a soft cloth. Rub a cloth soaked in linseed oil over wooden handles and wooden parts.
Leaf Lore
Leave a few piles of leaves, sticks or logs for the wildlife. Beetles and other beneficial insects can shelter in the leaves and over winter protected from the weather.
A carpet of autumn leaves can look stunning on the lawn, but it will starve the grass plants of light and air. This can lead to pest and disease problems.
Small amounts of leaves can be added to the compost heap. Mix them in with wet, leafy material to balance the compost and the worms and soil microbes will break them down. If you’ve got masses of leaves then you can bag them up into black bin bags, tie them at the top, perforate the bottom and leave the bags behind the shed to mature. The leaves will break down in this damp dark environment and any moisture will drain out. After about 12 months you should find that your leaves have transformed into a wonderful, rich soil conditioner ready to feed back to your soil.
