As autumn has arrived we look forward to the magnificent display provided by our trees and shrubs but we tend to forget that soon all those leaves will find their way on to our lawn, driveway, paths and gullies. The monotonous job of sweeping and raking up those leaves can soon become a very tedious task but, before you start piling the leaves into garden refuse sacks, just get your recycling hat on for a moment.

All the leaves can be made into a rich soil conditioner called leaf mould. Leaf mould is easy to make and is an excellent soil improver. It can also be used as a substitute for peat in potting composts.

Simply gather up your leaves, avoiding any that are infected with diseases such as rose black spot and pack them into black refuse bags, push them down firmly and seal the bags. Pierce the bags a few times with a garden fork to allow air to circulate through the leaves. Alternatively you could make your own leaf mould composter by driving four posts into the ground in a secluded part of the garden and wrapping wire netting around them to make a container and simply tip in your leaves.

The process can be speeded up by chopping up the leaves with the lawn mover or a shredder or by mixing the leaves with equal parts of lawn clippings. Another way to speed the process up is by sprinkling a handful of growmore fertiliser over the leaves whenever you add to the pile or turn the heap. The fertiliser contains nutrients that help the bacteria breakdown the leaves and at the end of the process you will have a much richer mixture which will make a great mulch for your border. Remember leaves need to remain moist to breakdown so in periods of dry weather they will need watering.

Leaf mould can be used for a number of things, to enrich your home-made compost or used as a mulch on top of your borders. Lime-haters, such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias love it and it also acts as an excellent moisture retainer. Alternatively, it can be dug into heavy soil to make it much lighter and more workable. Finally the roots of shade and moisture-loving plants such as primula, hosta and ferns benefit from a top-dressing of leaf mould as it not only protects the crowns of these plants but also provides valuable nutrients.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Sorbus aucaparia (Mountain ash)

THIS elegant tree has very attractive deeply cut, light green leaves made up of nine to 15 leaflets. In May the Sorbus aucaparia is covered with white flowers that in turn transform to masses of glossy orange-red berries – much loved by thrushes and blackbirds. It provides excellent autumn colour and does best in full sun or light shade in fertile, well–drained soil. In 20 years it will reach 5m x 3m (16ft x 10ft) and will continue to grow.

JOBS OF THE WEEK.

* Order whips and bare–rooted trees and prepare ground for their arrival.

* Clear out vegetable plots and dig over.

* Protect tender plants on frosty nights with horticultural fleece.

* Ventilate the greenhouse during the day and reduce watering to reduce the risk of grey mould disease.