Colorful autumn leaves usually create a melancholic mood. The leaf fall not only looks beautiful, but also fulfills a great benefit from which both you as a gardener and numerous living creatures benefit. Find out here how useful fallen leaves can be for your garden, how best to collect and process them and what else you need to consider.
In autumn, trees in our latitudes drop their leaves
Why do trees shed their leaves?
The fall of leaves in autumn has to do with the color of leaves in summer. The dye chlorophyll, which is produced during photosynthesis, i.e. the conversion of water, oxygen and light into glucose, is responsible for the green color. At the same time, glucose represents the energy that a plant needs for its growth. This also includes the formation of leaves. In autumn there is no longer enough sunlight to carry out photosynthesis. To compensate for the lack of energy, the plant saves energy. She sheds her leaves and draws the nutrients back inside.
Likewise, the leaves are the most vulnerable parts of the tree. The contained plant sap freezes quickly. The plant prevents this process by shedding the superfluous leaves.
What is the use of the foliage?
For the gardener, however, leaf shedding does not just mean work. Use the fallen leaves in the following ways:
- as compost
- as fertilizer
- as antifreeze
- as winter quarters for animals
- for crafting
processing and disposal
Fertilizing, mulching or protecting plants from the cold is not difficult at all with foliage. Just leave the leaves on the beds. To avoid moisture between the individual layers, you should at most spread the leaves a little. On the lawn, however, you need to remove the leaves.
evacuation obligation
You have real work when the leaves of a tree fall on the sidewalk. In order to prevent pedestrians from slipping, every citizen is obliged to sweep in front of his property. Contact your local evictions office for more information.