As everyone who has eyes can see, it’s now proper Autumn. Any hope of an Indian summer has vanished like teenagers when there’s washing up to do. And as everyone also knows, it’s been very dry. This unique combination of the expected and the unexpected (for me at least, I always expect it to be wet) means one thing. Get your leaf clearing done while you can!
Now some people’s are glasses are half full, some are half-empty. My glass has been drained by a thief when my back was turned, has fallen on the tiled floor and smashed into 100 pieces and I’ve trodden on one of them in my bare feet. I am, in other words just a little pessimistic and I will not leave anything on my lawn for very long that might cause problems. I advise you to do the same. (Although you don’t have to be as pessimistic as I and a ringing phone doesn’t always mean bad news)
Normally, we would expect all our trees to shed in late September, but in fact many trees have been shedding since late August, due to the dry spring weather conditions and some pernicious little pests from Turkey. And let’s not be tree-ist, not all trees are the same. Did you know, for example, that Ash trees drop their leaves fast and early… like some football teams with their managers… whereas Sycamore trees keep dropping leaves all through the season.
Whatever – it is very much the season of gold, brown and red now and time to think very seriously about getting out their with your rake, blower, blower/vac or leaf sweeper and sorting the leafy little rascals out.
Why rascals? Well, as I’ve mentioned before, like Charlise Theron in ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, fallen leaves are beautiful but evil. Well, a nuisance at the very least. Of course they don’t stare in magic mirrors, try to kill their stepdaughters or swan around like they own the place but they can clog up your lawn big-time, leading to a possible build up of thatch and moss, choking the roots and preventing water, light and air from nourishing and strengthening your grass roots. (Something I’m sure Charlise would never do; although, as Snow White’s wicked stepmother she did absolutely no favours for the eating apple industry).
Keeps the Doctor away? I don’t think so.
And there’s more. As leaves rot they can harbour pests and so can cause mould or fungal problems for your precious sward. So it is best to rake, blow or suck ’em up within a few days of falling so they don’t start to de-compose all over your lawn.
Not only that, they are a major slip hazard on your paths, decking, patios and so on if they get wet and are left.
If you need advice on the big Autumn clear or you could take a look at my mate Dick’s informative blog on five of the best leaf collecting machines here or call us on 0845 4588 905 and speak to one of our famously friendly and helpful sales team.
And of course fallen leaves do have their uses in their place. They can be rehabilitated and find a useful place in society. For example they can become amazing mulch and compost and help all your other plants grow. Just don’t leave them on the lawn! Enjoy your garden.
Drew Hardy
