Some gardeners view autumn leaves that fall onto pathways or lawns as an annoyance – something to be cleared away. Sustainable gardeners know, however, just what a useful resource these leaves can be, and all the different ways that we can use them in our gardens and our homes. In this article, you will learn how to preserve autumn leaves for fun arts and crafts activities as well as how to make leaf mould.
Collect Fallen Leaves
Before we begin how to preserve autumn leaves, it is important to recognise that fallen leaves do not always need to be removed from where they fall. In many cases, in fact, it can be beneficial to leave them be – to rot down and enrich the soil.
Leaf litter provides essential nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, supports beneficial insects, and even offers shelter to small animals.
In wooded areas, or beneath garden trees and shrubs, fallen leaves act as a natural mulch, suppressing weeds and enriching the soil. Leaving some leaves to rot in place can be an easy, eco-friendly choice for gardeners who want to improve soil health without much effort.
However, collecting up fallen leaves allows us to make choices about what we might like to do with them, and to take full advantage of the beauty and benefits of these colourful leaves.
What to Do With Autumn Leaves
Autumn leaves can be very useful in the garden and they can also look pretty within your home, as home décor and in a range of arts and crafts projects.
You can use autumn leaves as a mulch, add them to a composting system, make leaf mould, or preserve them for autumnal arts and crafts. Below, we will explore each of these ideas in a little more depth:
Mulching With Autumn Leaves
Using leaves as mulch is one of the simplest and most effective ways to use them in your garden. Spread a layer of whole or chopped/ shredded leaves around the base of trees, shrubs, or perennials to create an organic mulch.
This layer of leaves will suppress weeds, conserve soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and eventually break down to add organic matter to the soil.
Mulching with leaves is especially beneficial in the autumn and winter, as it helps protect plant roots from freezing temperatures.
I like to use autumn leaves in my vegetable garden to cover garlic and onions that are overwintering. Even in a polytunnel, a mulch of dried leaves can be a useful extra layer of protection for plant roots against the cold.
Whole leaves can mat down and create an impenetrable layer, preventing water and air from reaching the soil. Shredding or mowing over the leaves before applying them as mulch can help gardeners to avoid this issue.
A good mulch layer should be around 5cm thick. Any thicker, and you risk smothering plants or preventing water from reaching the roots.
Leaves from deciduous trees like maple, oak, and beech are ideal for mulch. Avoid using evergreen leaves, as they take longer to break down and may create acidity issues in the soil.
Composting Autumn Leaves
Composting is another excellent way to make use of fallen leaves. Leafy matter is a valuable source of carbon, or “brown” material, in the compost pile.
The carbon in the leaves helps to balance the nitrogen-heavy “green” materials, such as grass clippings or kitchen scraps. Together, they break down to form rich, organic compost, which can be used to fertilize your garden.
As with mulching, shredding or chopping leaves before adding them to the compost will speed up decomposition.
Alternate layers of leaves with green materials like vegetable scraps or grass clippings. This helps maintain the proper carbon-to-nitrogen ratio and keeps the pile balanced.
Regularly turning the compost pile helps to aerate the material and speed up decomposition. Keep the pile moist, but not waterlogged, to ensure proper microbial activity.
Making Leaf Mould
Leaf mould is an extremely useful resource for your polytunnel. If you have deciduous trees in your garden, or access to fallen leaves in the surrounding area, then making leaf mould is definitely something that you should do.
This step by step guide is designed to help you turn fallen leaves into a friable leaf mould material which can be used as a mulch and soil amender in your polytunnel or elsewhere in your garden:
- Make a mesh bin or fenced off area in which to store your leaves as they rot. (Allow for plenty of ventilation in the structure. It is also best to create some sort of cover for your leaf pile so it does not become too wet if there is a lot of rain in your area.)
- Collect the right leaves. The best leaves of all for a top quality leaf mould are oak, beech and hornbeam. It is best not to add evergreen leaves to your general purpose leaf mould pile and pine needles are best kept separate to make a separate leaf mould that will be perfect for acid-loving plants.
- Shred leaves to speed decomposition if necessary. Some thick leaves such as sycamore and horse chestnut will take far longer to break down – shredding them can speed up this process.
- Place the leaves in the mesh bin or fenced area you have prepared for them.
- Leave the leaves to decompose for 1 year, sprinkling them with a little water in dry weather to make sure that the decomposition can continue.
- One year old part-decomposed leaves can make a good mulch.
- However, leave them for a second year, and they will have broken down into a lovely, crumbly soil conditioner which will help keep the soil in your garden in tip top condition.
How to Preserve Autumn Leaves for Art Projects
Autumn leaves aren’t just practical for gardening — they can also be preserved for fun arts and crafts. Their vivid hues and intricate structures make them perfect for creating seasonal decorations or adding a touch of nature to craft projects. Preserving leaves allows you to capture their beauty long after they’ve fallen from the trees.
1. Drying Autumn Leaves
Drying is one of the easiest methods for preserving leaves. Dried leaves retain their natural shape and texture but may lose some of their vibrant colour over time. You can either air dry autumn leaves or (though this is not the best choice) try doing so in your microwave for speedy results.
- Air-drying: Simply spread the leaves in a single layer on a flat surface (like a tray or screen) and leave them to dry for several days in a cool, dry place. Once the leaves are completely dry, they can be used for various craft projects, like wreaths or garlands.
- Microwave drying: Place a few leaves between sheets of paper towel and microwave them in short bursts (about 30 seconds) until they are dry. Be cautious, as leaves can easily burn in the microwave.
2. Pressing Autumn Leaves
Pressed leaves are ideal for craft projects like cards, bookmarks, and framed art. This method flattens the leaves while drying them, preserving their shape and some of their colour.
- Pressing with books: Sandwich the leaves between two sheets of wax paper and place them inside a heavy book. Weigh the book down with additional books or weights, and leave the leaves to press for a week or two.
- Using a flower press: A dedicated flower press can speed up the process and ensure more even pressure. This is a great option if you plan to press leaves regularly.
3. Glycerin Baths for Preserving Autumn Leaves
A glycerin bath is another effective way to preserve autumn leaves, especially if you want to retain their soft, supple texture.
Unlike pressing or drying, which can make leaves brittle, glycerin keeps them flexible while maintaining their natural beauty. This method works by replacing the water content in the leaves with glycerin, which prevents the leaves from drying out and becoming fragile over time.
The glycerin bath method is straightforward and can be done with just a few materials. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
4. Gather the materials:
- Glycerin (available at most pharmacies or online)
- Water
- A shallow container (large enough to submerge the leaves)
- Freshly fallen leaves (choose leaves that are still soft and pliable)
5. Create the glycerin solution:
Mix one part glycerin with two parts water in your shallow container. The ratio is important, as too much water may prevent the glycerin from being absorbed properly by the leaves.
6. Prepare the leaves:
Select leaves that are in good condition, free of mold, rot, or excessive damage. For best results, pick leaves that have recently fallen and still retain their flexibility.
Trim the stems if necessary, leaving about an inch or two of stem attached to each leaf.
7. Submerge the leaves:
Fully immerse the leaves in the glycerin solution, ensuring they are entirely submerged. If the leaves float, you can place a small weight, such as a plate, on top to keep them under the surface of the liquid.
8. Leave the leaves to soak:
Allow the leaves to soak in the glycerin solution for about 2-6 days. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the leaves and the type of tree they come from. Thicker leaves may take a little longer to absorb the glycerin completely.
9. Check for suppleness:
After a few days, check the leaves by touching them. If they feel soft and flexible, they’re ready. If they still feel dry or stiff, leave them in the solution for another day or two.
10. Dry the leaves:
Once the leaves have absorbed enough glycerin, remove them from the solution and gently pat them dry with a paper towel. Lay them out on a flat surface to dry completely. The leaves will remain soft, and their colours will deepen slightly, giving them a rich, leathery appearance.
11. Waxing Autumn Leaves
Waxing is a popular method for preserving the vibrant hues of autumn leaves. This technique coats the leaves in a protective layer of wax, sealing in their moisture and vibrant colours.
- Melt beeswax: Heat beeswax in a double boiler until it melts. Of old, other waxes like paraffin wax were used. However, these are not an eco-friendly or sustainable choice and you should always use natural beeswax instead of more harmful products if you want to make the right choice for people and planet.
- Dip the leaves: Holding the stem of the leaf, dip it into the melted wax, ensuring the entire surface is coated.
- Let dry: Lay the waxed leaves on a sheet of wax paper to cool and dry. Once hardened, the wax will preserve the leaf’s visual appearance and texture for months. Waxed leaves can be used in garlands, mobiles, and other crafts.
There are also other coatings that are applied to autumn leaves to preserve them – such as an acrylic (plastic) coating, hairsprays etc… but we do not recommend any of these approaches since using non-biodegradable and potentially harmful products is not an eco-friendly or sustainable choice.
Natural beeswax does the same thing, but won’t harm the environment or pose a disposal problem once you tire of having the leaves in your home.
Autumn leaves, often seen as a nuisance, are a valuable resource for gardeners and creative individuals alike. Whether you’re using them in the garden to create leaf mould or mulch, or preserving them for craft projects, the fallen foliage of autumn offers endless opportunities.
FAQs
Is there a way to preserve the colour of fall leaves?
Yes, waxing is one of the best methods for preserving the bright, vibrant colours of autumn leaves. The wax seals in moisture, preventing the leaves from drying out and fading. Pressing leaves between wax paper or using glycerin can also help retain their hues for longer.
How do you preserve fresh autumn leaves?
To preserve fresh autumn leaves, you can use methods like waxing, pressing, or glycerin baths. Each method offers a different result, depending on the type of craft project you’re working on. Waxing tends to work best for retaining colour, while pressing creates flat leaves for framed art or scrapbooking.
What can you spray on leaves to preserve them?
Spraying leaves with clear acrylic spray, hairspray, or even mod podge can help preserve their colour and prevent them from crumbling over time. However, as mentioned above, we definitely do not recommend using any synthetic products to preserve autumn leaves when you can use natural beeswax instead, which won’t be a treat to the environment.
Sources
Iallonardo, M., Thomas, M., (2023) 40 Best Leaf Crafts for Kids and Adults to DIY This Fall. Good Housekeeping. [online] Available at: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g33010213/fall-leaf-crafts/ [accessed 27/09/24]
