Leaving fallen leaves scattered across your garden isn't typically harmful but it's wise to clear them away when they start to get soggy and pose a slipping hazard.

Many people rake up fallen leaves in the garden just to discard them but the crispy, colourful foliage has surprising benefits when kept.

Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra, a leading garden tool retailer, advocates for using them as mulch, which he describes as one of the most "effective" methods for plant care in the winter season.

He remarked: "Although fallen leaves may be seen as troublesome to some gardeners, they can be used as an effective, natural (and free!) mulch."

This organic material can be distributed over grassy areas, flowerbeds, and even within smaller plant containers to shield plants from the harsh winter elements.

According to Peter, three main areas in the garden benefit from being mulched., including the lawn itself.

He explained: "It's important to remove fallen leaves from lawns as quickly as possible as they can easily suffocate the grass, starving it of oxygen and, eventually, killing it. However, removal isn't the only answer.

"Mowing them into your lawn using a mulching mower that returns the cuttings to the soil, can provide a great soil conditioner and will aid in moisture retention, keeping it healthy during the winter."

Making shredded mulch, which is essentially leaves that have been chopped up into fine pieces, is another useful resource for the garden.

To create this rich, dense material using freshly raked leaves, simply run all of the dry ones through a shredder. Peter warned against shredding wet leaves as this could harm the machine.

As for how shredded mulch performs in gardens, the gardening guru claimed: "Not only does leaf mulch suppress the growth of weeds and eventually improve soil as it decomposes, but well-shredded leaf mulch can also help to insulate plant roots from the frost, without blocking the penetration of essential nutrients, water and air."

He suggests sprinkling the shredded mulch around delicate plants and pressing it into the soil to decompose.

The third and most common way to use unwanted leaves outdoors is by composting. This is the eco-friendly process of turning organic materials like leaves and kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich soil.

Peter remarked: "Fallen leaves are the perfect source for making compost...For the most nutritious and effective compost, first collect with a leaf blower, then mix moist (but not wet) leaves with green materials such as grass clippings and vegetable peelings."

Be sure to mix your compost at least once a month to allow for the regular circulation of oxygen, urged the gardening expert.

As the ingredients in the compost break down, they will eventually turn into rich, dark compost - a great source of nutrients that will ensure your plants and turf remain in "perfect condition" for the blossoming spring season.

To speed up the decay rate, aim for a mix ratio of three to four parts 'brown' compost material (like leaves), and one part 'green' (grass clippings, coffee grounds, potato peelings and plant cuttings). Never add meat scraps, bones, grease, whole eggs, or dairy products to the compost pile because they decompose slowly, cause odours, and can attract rodents.