The rake’s progress

The old leaves on the line joke isn’t funny, particularly in autumn when millions of British gardens are brought to a standstill with blocked drains, clogged gutters and slippery patios.

And, believe it or not, some leaves cause more problems than others.

The Horticultural Trade Association once unearthed Britain’s most troublesome leaves.

Britain’s top five troublesome leaves

1. Oak tree leaves stick to each other, making them hard to manipulate and move.

2. Horse chestnut leaves disintegrate very quickly and become stringy when wet which means they stick to patios, paths and paving slabs.

3. Lime leaves are liable to break down when they are wet, again making them hard to remove.

4. Sweet chestnut leaves rot down quickly when they are wet and stick to concrete and paving, not only making them look unattractive, but also making them slippery.

5. Walnut leaves are fairly large, making them even more troublesome when hundreds fall in one garden.

Leaves come in all shapes and sizes – and they all decay at different rates. The five that are crowned the most troublesome here are from common deciduous trees and, therefore, the ones that year after year are most likely to cause problems in our gardens if they’re not cleared up properly.

Every gardener knows it’s best to turn leaves into compost and replenish the soil, but it’s not as easy as that. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to leaf clearing and removal which is why you’ve really got to know your beech from your hornbeam if you’re to keep your garden tidy and prepare it for the winter.

Getting a leaf-free lawn

Shredding is a good way to speed up the decomposition of tougher leaves such as horse chestnut and sweet chestnut.

Beech and oak are best for turning into compost, so stack them in a compost bin and turn once or twice to aid decomposition.

Pine needles can take up to two or three years to break down, so mix up all your leaves together to make an incredible humus to improve soil.

If you are working in a big area with lots of leaves, it’s best to use a powered leaf blower or sucker to chop them up ready for the compost heap.

Clear as often as possible to avoid an unmanageable build-up.

Use the right garden tool for your leaves, otherwise you’ll just end up making a mush on your patio.