How to make the most of leaves

Alison Patel writes: Rather than seeing leaves as a nuisance, gardeners should rejoice in the fact that that they can be used to create rich, crumbly compost, the Daily Mail reports.

It is true that as soon as leaves have been cleared, another fresh batch seems to fall but leafmould makes great mulch. It can also be dug into soil to help improve its condition.

Lynette Applegate who adds the mulch to her soil at Toddington Manor explained to the Daily Mail how easy it is to create a leaf bin.

She said: "It really is easy to make and the structure can be quite rough and ready. My bin took me only about 30 minutes."

Gardeners can make one from four, four foot tree stakes, a roll of galvanised chicken wire and galvanised U-staples.

The stakes should be hammered into the ground, 24-inches apart to for a square. About three foot of each stake need to be left above the ground.

Next the paper advises gardeners to "secure the end of the wire to the first post with U-staples. Unroll to the next post, secure with staples and repeat until you have an enclosure".

Leaf bins should be built on grass or soil to encourage worms and to allow excess moisture to drain away.

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