The season is changing, and all those gorgeous orange autumn leaves are falling, leaving the trees bare and the leaves scattered on the ground. It can be an overwhelming thought to clean all the leaves in your garden, and if you don’t have a tool to help, it can feel even worse.
However, it’s good news for those who haven’t bothered to do a big leaf removal yet, as Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden has urged you to leave those leaves alone.
Deborah has a keen interest in the environment and sustainability, is plant-based, and loves investing in businesses that are eco-friendly, such as the vegan, cruelty-free, and aluminium- and paraben-free deodorant brand, Fussy.
On her official TikTok page, she referred to the leaves as “absolute gold,” as she picked them up and held them to the camera.
“Do you know so many people clear all of the leaves up out of their garden? But this, it’s really good for the garden,” she insisted.
Deborah then shared that you can “put it on the compost heap, use it for mulch, keep your roots warm in the winter”.
But she then said that the “big thing” for her is to help “wildlife and insects” through the colder months.
She said: “If you can leave a pile of leaves it’s a fantastic food for wildlife and insects so you know…”.
Deborah then smelled the leaves, saying they were “delicious,” joking: “I know that sounds weird”.
She captioned her video: “I know… I look a bit too happy holding a pile of leaves! But before you rush to clear them away, it’s worth remembering they’re not just garden clutter. They give wildlife a place to shelter, feed the soil, and help keep everything in balance over winter”.
Leaves are a valuable addition to a compost heap because they provide essential carbon, which helps balance the nitrogen-rich materials like food scraps and grass clippings.
They are good for mulch because they help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and add nutrients as they decompose. Leaves act as an insulating layer on the soil, trapping heat and protecting plant roots from cold winter temperatures.
During winter, fallen leaves create a protective layer on the ground that offers shelter and warmth for various forms of wildlife, such as insects, spiders, and small mammals, helping them survive harsh conditions. Many species use leaf litter as a safe place to hide from predators or to hibernate.
As leaves decompose, they become a valuable food source for decomposers, such as earthworms, beetles, and fungi, which in turn support the broader food web by providing nourishment for birds and other animals.
In the comments, someone wrote: “Yes, Deborah, say it louder for the people at the back”.
“What she’s saying is, the best things in life are free,” another penned.