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  Claire Brown May 4, 2010 at 4:39pm

  leaf mulch is great for the soil, - BUT only after it has rotted down, - while rotting down it will take nitrogen from the soil, but when fully decomposed, will add it back in, - so you are best to put your leaves in a pile, and "leave" well alone for the next year. They will have then shrunk in size, and will be a wonderful dark organic matter. more details about how here
  http://plant-passion.typepad.com/plant_passion/2009/10/falling-leav...
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    Neil Bishop > Claire Brown May 4, 2010 at 4:42pm

    Thanks Claire, I couldn't of asked for a better answer! I'll be starting my leaf pile very shortly!
    
    Neil
    
    Claire Brown said:

    leaf mulch is great for the soil, - BUT only after it has rotted down, - while rotting down it will take nitrogen from the soil, but when fully decomposed, will add it back in, - so you are best to put your leaves in a pile, and "leave" well alone for the next year. They will have then shrunk in size, and will be a wonderful dark organic matter. more details about how here http://plant-passion.typepad.com/plant_passion/2009/10/falling-leav...
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  Kirsty Blair May 4, 2010 at 9:04pm

  If clients don't have the leaf bins, we normally collect the leaves into black bags and make a few holes in them - so air can still get in and the leaves don't sweat, then just leave in some inconspicuous area - under trees etc. Come next yr, just spread over the borders and turn in as we go!
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  pete May 5, 2010 at 9:53pm

  I try to leave as many wet autumn leaves on the beds as I can - in fact I'll put them there if it's not going to look unsightly. I make big pallet leaf bins whenever I can but we did work one place with lots of trees where we had a mulching sit-on, I gathered the leaves into heaps on a rough patch of ground and reduced them into 'confetti' – then forked them into the flower beds - I'm not big on science and I'm not always sure of what's going to happen in the flower bed, but one thing I do know is that worms love leaves. I'd say unless you're trying to grow something with specific requirements then don't worry too much about NPK - rotted leaves, great – part rotted, great – chobbled up damp leaves, are OK if you don't overdo it - get as much life into the soil as you can.
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  Neil Bishop May 6, 2010 at 12:26am

  Thanks for all the advice guys!
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  pete May 8, 2010 at 5:07pm

  As composting and the life in the soil is at the heart of good gardening...... I'd like to try again to answer Neil's question:
  
  I think yes, chopped up leaves can be turned into loose soil and borders. If turned in then no, they will not help keep weeds down – yes, they will improve the soil - and no they will not do any harm to the soil, or the plants.
  
  Leaves will of course have more readily available plant food after you've composted them in a year or two but - why do leaves 'have' to be rotted before going onto borders?
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  pete May 9, 2010 at 12:29am

  Have a look on this page about using shredded leaves
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  Sarah Russell May 9, 2010 at 8:17am

  The only problem that I have found doing this in my garden is that every slug in the neighbourhood makes a home under the leaves!
  
  pete said:

  I try to leave as many wet autumn leaves on the beds as I can - in fact I'll put them there if it's not going to look unsightly.