Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Making and using leaf mould

Making and using leaf mould:

After collecting fallen leaves place them in a bin liner, moisten them if they are dry, then pierce holes in the bag with a knife or garden fork, tie the top loosely and stack the bags out of sight for up to two years. If you have a lot of leaves you can make a simple heap and to stop them blowing away, build a frame round the heap using posts and netting.

Well-rotted leaf mould over two years old can be used as seed-sowing compost, garden compost and good quality soil for use as potting compost.

Leaf mould, less than two years old can be used as mulch, a soil conditioner, or a winter covering for bare soil.

Our guide to general maintenance tasks

A quiet time of the year, but there is always something to do in the garden

December can be a relatively quiet time on the garden but there are always a few jobs you can be getting on with. For example:

Digging over and prepare your soil for next year’s planting and growing season. At the same time you can add organic matter such as well rotted manure and/or contents from your compost bin.

Cleaning bird feeders, stock up on fat balls and making sure birds have access to fresh water.

Making a log pile or mini beast hotel which will help to provide shelter for wildlife.

Washing, cleaning and servicing all of your garden tools and giving them a wipe with oil to help prevent rusting.

Pruning and trimming fruit trees and hedging.

Turning over your compost heaps to let air in and then covering them with a piece of old carpet or some plastic sheeting to prevent the compost becoming too cold and wet to rot down.

Collecting fallen leaves and adding them to the compost bin and/or save separately to make leaf mould.

Removing weeds and adding them to the compost bin.

Clearing any fallen or diseased fruit.

And from the warmth and comfort of your armchair you could perhaps begin planning for next year.

A time time of year to spend a little time cleaning bird feeders