FALLING leaves create a certain drudgery for the gardener. On smooth paths which are frequented they must be removed regularly otherwise they become a dangerously slippery hazard. On grass too they need to be swept or raked up, leaving them lying there for weeks until every last leaf has come down will deprive the grass of light and air, causing yellowing and die-back. No gardener wishes to contemplate a disfigured lawn all winter and spring.

While the sweeping and raking may seem a nuisance the leaves can provide a very nice bonus. Once upon a time gardeners burned leaves - a scandalous waste. Now we put them on the compost heap, use them with peat to mulch beds or make leaf mould, a nutritious and delicious feed for mixing into polling compost or for use at planting time when beds or planting holes are being prepared. Stack leaves in a compost bin or even in plastic sacks which have been punctured a few times to allow air work on the soggy contents. Beech and oak leaves are best but don't disparage the others - even sycamore will make a nice mould.