Monty Don has shared his October gardening advice, revealing a task he is "obsessive" about that could also help protect local wildlife. He says that this month, "every fallen leaf is potential leafmould", which he describes as "garden gold."
Why leafmould matters
Leafmould is a nutrient-dense soil improver that replicates the natural woodland floor, helping to improve water retention and promote beneficial soil microorganisms. It can be made into or combined with homemade potting composts, seed-sowing mixes, winter mulches and lawn top-dressing.
Writing in the October advice section of his website, he 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
Monty suggests setting up a storage area early in the month, noting that "a simple bay made from four posts and chicken wire is ideal." Once surplus fallen leaves are gathered and run over with a lawnmower to accelerate decomposition, they should be packed into black bin liners with a few drainage holes pierced in the base, with the tops secured, and left for nature to take its course.
Keeping the leaves outdoors and letting them become damp creates ideal conditions for fungi to decompose them without needing to turn or disturb them. Monty also explains that he enjoys leaving drifts and heaps of leaves beneath hedges and trees to provide overwintering shelter for hedgehogs, frogs, small mammals, and insects.
Helping wildlife through winter
To give additional winter refuge for local wildlife, he advises resisting the urge to tidy the garden completely, leaving clusters of logs and mounds of prunings dotted around. Encouraging small creatures to flourish repays gardeners with natural pest management in the shape of beetles, centipedes and spiders, which tackle prevalent garden nuisances such as slugs, snails and aphids.
The remaining leaves also function as a thick blanket, shielding shallow plant roots from harsh winter frosts and fluctuating temperatures.
