These vegetable roots could hold the key to richer soil next year – and all you need to do is leave them alone!

Young pea plants growing along wooden plant supports in garden.

If you’re putting your vegetable garden to bed this month and peas and beans were on this year’s menu, hold on for just a second: you might unwittingly be throwing away garden gold (and no, I’m not talking about potatoes or leafmould this time).

The roots of your pea and bean plants are among the very best natural soil enrichers, which means the smartest thing you can do this month is leave them in the soil.