The weather here in the UK is getting more and more wintery by the day. Windy storms, rain and dipping temperatures are quickly becoming the norm, and this change in conditions can wreak havoc on your garden.
This is especially true if you have a patio, slabs or decking in your garden. Certain aspects of winter can turn these into a major eyesore or even a hazard – and it’s not always ice. The experts at Ideal Home have urged Brits to be aware of one seemingly harmless garden feature that could ‘spell disaster’ for your outdoor space.
After a period of stormy or rainy weather, you might find yourself with a lot of leaves littered around your garden. While it can be beneficial to leave some on the grass, leaves on your patio can be a lot more dangerous.
And although the most obvious answer is because they can cause a slipping hazard, this is far from the only reason why you should clear leaves away from the patio every so often. They can also cause serious structural issues, and if they’re not regularly cleared away, can result in unsightly algae and moss growth all over the surface.
Why are leaves on the patio so dangerous?
If it’s been rainy recently – which is often the case in the UK – then wet leaves can become a problem. Wet leaves are slippery because they absorb moisture from rain, dew, or melting frost, creating a slick, slimy surface that significantly reduces traction.
If you step on them by accident, it’s easy to lose your balance, fall or even become seriously injured.
But leaving fallen leaves on your patio can also cause cosmetic issues and structural damage, because they have the ability to trap a layer of moisture during the damper months.
“Wet leaves can stain porous paving as they break down, and encourage moss and algae to develop,” explained Andrew White, outdoor expert at Harbour Lifestyle.
How to save your patio in autumn
The good news is that it’s very simple to prevent this damage – or even serious injuries – from happening, and all you need to do is make sure you remove those leaves from your patio.
Doing this every couple of days will only take a matter of minutes, but it’ll save you a lot of hassle in the long run. You can do this manually with a rake or brush, which is best when it’s been raining and the leaves are already sticking to the surface.
However, on drier days, a leaf blower works really well. Once you’ve collected the leaves, there are plenty of handy ways you can use them up in the garden.
For example, you can add them to your compost heap, or use them to make leaf mulch which can protect your plants from the upcoming frosty weather.
