Savoring the Twilight of Autumn, According to Nigel Slater
Autumn has arrived, and with it comes a cascade of leaves in various hues, from buttery yellows to rusty reds. While some might view this as a chore, it presents an opportunity to improve garden soil nutrition and support sustainable practices.
In Japan, acers display a vibrant spectacle of ginger, turmeric, apricot, claret, and ochre hues. Similarly, our gardens are witnessing a transformation. The leaves of the robinia, despite their tiny stems that stick to the broom and lodge in the tines of the rake, offer a potential resource for composting. However, they take ages to break down, especially their stems.
Effective tips for composting autumn leaves include shredding them first to speed up the composting process. Running a lawnmower over the leaves breaks them into smaller pieces, promoting faster decomposition. Layering the compost pile properly is also crucial, with alternating layers of carbon-rich "brown" materials like dry leaves and nitrogen-rich "green" materials such as vegetable peelings or fresh grass clippings. Regularly turning the compost pile to aerate it and supply oxygen, which helps microorganisms break down the materials evenly, is another essential step.
Oak leaves make excellent mulch, benefiting acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. Mulching with whole leaves is possible, but shredded leaves break down faster. If autumn provides mostly carbon-rich leaves, it's beneficial to store them until nitrogen-rich materials are available to combine in compost for better results.
Some gardeners might choose to leave leaves from trees like horse chestnut to crumble under the grass verge, while others collect them to add to their compost heap, as the speaker does with the leaves from his ornamental cherry tree. Unfortunately, this year's leaves may not be the desired reds and oranges due to trees suffering from Guinardia, the chestnut leaf blotch, causing early leaf fall.
The speaker, in his garden, has chosen small trees with half-a-mind to autumn color, including Cornus kousa, Acer palmatum, amelanchier, and witch hazel. The leaves of the fig tree fall in a dramatic manner, similar to an avalanche, while the leaves of the ornamental cherry tree outside his house are falling slowly. The leaves of the beech topiaries provide a gentle brown backdrop for the snowdrops underneath during winter, but the speaker might decide not to prune them this year to prevent further loss of leaves.
Among the leaves are conkers, shining brightly, and the speaker expresses a desire for windy autumn days to watch the leaves dance and flutter, and for the possibility of children kicking the leaves or hedgehogs finding winter homes in them. The speaker was inspired to plant two more acers after visiting Japan during autumn last year and experiencing the vibrant display of acers there.
By adopting these tips and viewing autumn leaves as a resource rather than waste, we can contribute to a more sustainable garden and recycling of nutrients, reducing waste sent to landfill or burned. Happy composting!
- In Japan, acers and our gardens are adorned with a variety of hues, similar to fashion-and-beauty products, showcasing ginger, turmeric, apricot, claret, and ochre shades.
- As autumn leaves fall, home-and-garden enthusiasts can implement effective composting strategies, like shredding leaves and layering them with nitrogen-rich materials, to support the lifestyle of sustainable gardening.
- Authentic Japanese travel experiences offer captivating sights of autumn leaves, inspiring gardeners to incorporate plants like acers into their home-and-garden landscapes for a similar fashionable display.
- To enhance the food-and-drink experience, gardeners can make use of oak leaves as mulch, benefiting acid-loving plants, creating a lush environment for a more flavorful harvest.
