For just a few weeks at this time of year our gardens, as well as the countryside, are in a constant state of change and we are treated to spectacular autumn displays.

As much as we enjoy the rich colour that nature provides it isn’t just a visual feast. The falling leaves can be of enormous value in the garden. Just collect them and without too much effort they can be turned into rich leaf mould, invaluable as a soil conditioner, a mulch or even for mixing with potting compost.

Traditionally a besom (witch’s broom made from birch twigs) was used to sweep up leaves but in our mechanical society a garden vacuum is more likely to be used, particularly if you have a large garden. This rather clumsy looking tool works like a huge domestic cleaner that can either blow the leaves into a manageable heap or suck them into a bag. The choice is yours. Really sophisticated models shred the leaves at the same time which speeds up the rotting process. Either way it makes light work of collecting fallen leaves from awkward corners.

Just by filling black plastic bags, with a few holes punched in the sides, you are well on the way to having ‘black gold’ for use in your garden next year. Water the contents well and then tuck the bags away in an unused corner of your garden and by next year you should have a useable product. Another way is to make a basic container by wrapping wire netting round four posts, however far apart you think you can fill, pile the leaves in and wait for them to rot down. If you are only dealing with small quantities of leaves mix them in with the usual contents of your compost bin.

Leaves differ from green matter in that they use very little nitrogen as they rot down so any left on the garden won’t rob it of nutrients. Just make sure that any small plants aren’t swamped.

Autumn leaves are a valuable resource – don't compain about the mess they make - it pays to make the most of them.