Gardeners urged not to clear all leaves from gardens this September

Now that we've officially entered autumn in the UK, leaves will start to fall from trees across the nation. Gardeners will start to notice piles of leaves in their gardens but are being urged not to remove them all.

Trees are expected to shed their leaves earlier this year after such a hot summer. Although an accumulation of leaves can be frustrating for gardeners, an expert has revealed that they can be beneficial to our outdoor spaces. David Denyer, a flower and garden expert from Eflorist with over 35 years of experience, has urged gardeners not to treat the leaves as "annoying waste" this September. Instead, he says the leaves can be "put to work" in gardens immediately.

He explained: "The stress of such a hot summer with limited water means that trees are shedding their leaves earlier than normal to reduce the amount of moisture they need to survive.

"For gardeners, it means leaf fall is happening sooner than expected, and rather than treating them as annoying waste, those leaves can be put to work in the garden straight away."

Fallen leaves are rich in minerals which benefits the soil in gardens. They also create an environment for wildlife, such as insects and hedgehogs, to enjoy.

David is urging gardeners to make the most of the early leaf falls this September. He even recommends people to begin storing leaves for leaf mould.

The expert continued: "Fallen leaves are rich in organic matter and minerals, and as they decompose, they improve the soil's ability to hold onto both nutrients and water.

"A layer of leaves also insulates roots against sudden temperature changes, which is especially useful as we start to see hot days give way to cooler nights.

"Not only that, but the leaves also create the perfect habitat for insects, worms, pollinators, hedgehogs, and lots of other creatures that support a healthy garden ecosystem."

David recommends leaving a small pile of leaves in your garden this September. He said it can make a "huge difference for local wildlife".

The expert said: "You may be tempted to clear every leaf away, but leaving a small pile in a quiet corner of your garden can make a big difference for local wildlife.

"Dry leaves create shelter for insects and amphibians, while hedgehogs often use larger piles to hibernate safely through winter. Because leaves are falling earlier this year, you have the opportunity to give wildlife more time to prepare as nights start to cool.

"Just make sure any leaf piles are kept away from bonfires or bins so you don't accidentally put animals at risk."