To mulch or not to mulch?

Whilst many are keen to clear leaf litter, Heather discusses the benefits of leaf piles for wildlife...

To mulch or not to mulch? That is the question.

I always know when autumn has arrived, the nights draw in and cool gusts of wind are followed by red, yellow and gold bursts of colour from the treetops. We are told that autumn is a messy season, where leaves and petals fall, leaving behind skeletal trees and shrubs and the floor a carpet of leaf litter. However, this ‘litter’ plays an underappreciated role in the natural cycle of our gardens.

These energy-rich crispy pieces of colour are broken down to provide nutrients in the soil for other plants, acting as a natural (and free!) fertiliser for the garden. Be careful of toads and hedgehogs hibernating in deep leaf litter during the winter months, conserving their energy for the mating season in early spring. Lots of invertebrates live and hide amongst the leaf litter during winter, protected from the harsh weather and from predators – gently move some leaves aside and you might discover caterpillars, millipedes, tiny snails or even tinier springtails (don’t forget to put the leafy duvet back afterwards).

Autumnal leaf watercolour by Heather Pullin

In our own gardens we can collect some of these leaves into a corner so they’re not so easily seen. Loose leaves can be stuffed into holes behind and underneath pots, planters and other places to provide some shelter for wildlife. As communities, we can help to spread awareness of the importance of leaf litter by talking to neighbours and putting up signs to let people know you’re leaving some space for wildlife this autumn. Perhaps schools could do leaf-picking during lunchtimes, using some for craft activities and making piles of leaves in the school grounds. Allowing leaves to break down naturally in our gardens and grass verges can help create a few more spaces for wildlife, which is vitally important in the colder winter months.