Monty Don has shared his October gardening advice, revealing that he is "obsessive" about collecting fallen leaves to make leafmould, which he calls "garden gold." He also leaves piles of leaves under hedges and trees to provide over-wintering shelter for hedgehogs, frogs, small mammals and insects.
Why leafmould is "garden gold"
According to Monty Don, "every fallen leaf is potential leafmould" this month. Leafmould is a nutrient-dense soil improver that replicates the natural woodland floor, helping to improve moisture retention and promote beneficial soil microorganisms. It can be made into, or combined with, homemade potting mixes, seed-sowing substrates, winter mulches, and lawn top-dressing.
Writing on the October advice page on his website, Monty Don said: "I am obsessive about making leafmould, gathering as many of the fallen leaves as possible, mowing them to chop them up and then stacking them in a big open heap so they can break down into a lovely rich, crumbly texture and become an essential component of our home-made potting compost."
How to make leafmould at home
For those who want to follow his example, Monty suggests establishing a location to store the materials early in the month, noting that "a simple bay made from four posts and chicken wire is ideal." After gathering excess fallen leaves and passing them under a lawnmower to accelerate decomposition, the leaves should be compressed into black bin bags, with a few drainage holes pierced in the bottom, the tops secured, and nature allowed to take its course.
By leaving the leaves outdoors and allowing them to become damp, ideal conditions are created for fungi to decompose them without the need to turn or mix.
Protecting wildlife and plant roots
Monty explains that he also enjoys leaving drifts and heaps of leaves beneath hedges and trees to offer shelter for hedgehogs, frogs, small mammals and insects. To give local wildlife extra winter protection, he advises resisting the urge to tidy the garden completely, leaving stacks of logs and mounds of prunings dotted around.
Encouraging small creatures to flourish in the garden pays dividends through natural pest control, as beetles, centipedes and spiders deal with common garden nuisances such as slugs, snails and aphids. The remaining leaves also act as a thick blanket, shielding shallow plant roots from harsh winter frosts and sudden temperature fluctuations.
