As fall approaches, many homeowners spend hours raking, blowing, and bagging leaves, unaware that they're removing one of nature’s best resources. Instead of this time-consuming routine, try leaving the leaves where they fall. Letting them remain in garden beds, under trees, and around shrubs provides crucial habitats for overwintering insects and butterflies, which are in decline. These layers of leaves also help retain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, all while promoting biodiversity.
If leaving leaves on the lawn isn’t feasible, mulch-mowing is a great alternative. By shredding the leaves into smaller pieces with your mower, they break down naturally, enriching the soil with valuable compost and helping the grass thrive. Mulching also eliminates the noise, dust, and greenhouse gases associated with leaf blowers, while saving time and money on yard maintenance.
Whether you leave the leaves where they fall or mulch them into your lawn, you’re creating a more sustainable, eco-friendly yard. This fall, consider these easy practices to support local wildlife and improve the health of your garden!