Hank, its better if they're wet or damp anyway. Collect them up, stuff into black binliners, poke a few holes in the bottom, add water if they're dry, tie the tops and stand out of sight somewhere, preferably onto soil because they tend to leak black fluid which might stain paving or concrete. Chopping them finely will hasten the process - you might find they're ready certainly within a year. Should look like rich, black soil and the bag will have collapsed, with the 'soil' just at the bottom.

If you add them to your borders in their fresh, shredded state, they will use nitrogen from the soil to break down and deprive your plants as they do...

Thanks B, The leaves don't go through the shredder too well if wet which is thecreason I dry them. But I forgot the bit about storing them in a damp condition in black bags altogether.
And a year is not too long to wait. Sorted !

You could always run the mower over them if they're wet - they will take longer to rot down if they're not chopped up.

I don't wait for ages. I just spread the leaves over my plot and let them break down naturally - just like they do in the wood. Take a lesson from nature. Breaking them down is good. This will attract worms which is what you really want and helps the soil retain moisture. Manure is a different story - never use fresh.

Fine if you've got an orchard or a wood, Bathgate - but in the average, densely planted (with smaller plants) garden in the UK, better to make leaf mould so there's no risk of nitrogen deprivation.

The nitrogen uptake is slight on only temporary. The nitrogen is re-released back into the soil in a steady and controlled manner just as the plants need it. Leaves and grass clippings break down very quickly compared to wood chips.

Thanks guys, I've got the message. Have already fetched 2 big sacksfull from down the woods.

But just to mention my campanula if I may - I've never seen as many slugs in 1 place - ever. They really love them.

We run the mower over them (the leaves not the slugs) and spread them as a mulch over the winter wherever the need seems greatest. Same with grass mowings in the autumn. Not noticed any nitrogen deficiency but you can always add a sprinkle of fertilizer in spring if it worries you.
But be alert for tree seedlings next year!

I use a product called "Sluggo" by Monterey around my hostas - not a slug in sight. It's also safe for pets. I'm not sure if you can find it in your shops, but you can order it online.

Never heard of sluggo but I'll check it out.

Slug pellets will do the job Hank - not sure if sluggo is available here. Funnily enough, slugs don't seem to eat campanula - they just use it to lurk in the damp and shade...

I rarely ever see slugs anyway. They are quickly gobbled up by birds or raccoons at night - or something.