Leave the Leaves
It’s the time of year to do your fall yard and garden cleanup. Rather than the tedious task of raking and bagging leaves or raking them to the curb, the best way to leave the leaves — Our local pollinators, your lawn, and the soil will be thanking you!
Leaves serve as a habitat for pollinator eggs like bees, caterpillars, and butterflies, and wildlife, including lizards, birds, turtles, and frogs that overwinter in the fallen leaves. A thin layer of leaves is also natural mulch that helps suppress weeds, while fertilizing the soil as they break down.
That’s why this year and every year, we are making the case for leaving the leaves. That’s not to say you can’t do any tidying up. Below are tips for thoughtful autumn cleanup that still leaves space for nature.
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
As simple as it sounds, if you have a thin layer, just leave them! If you have a heavy leaf amount or prefer a tidier lawn, the leaves do not need to be left exactly where they fall. You can rake them into garden beds, around tree bases, or into other designated areas in your yard. You can also try the Mullet Method! You can clean up your leaves in your front yard and bring them to your back yard —business in the front, pollinator slumber party in the back. Leaves are great for soil quality as they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, boost nutrition, and provide extra winter insulation for perennial plants. Too many leaves can kill grass, but in soil they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition.
Avoid shredding leaves; let the bugs do that for you! Shredded leaves will not provide the same cover as leaving them whole, and you may be destroying eggs, caterpillars, and cocoons along with the leaves. Instead of a mower, use a rake or electric blower to keep leaves intact.
Remember to be a courteous neighbor and keep sidewalks clear for pedestrian safety.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE SPRING
Wait until early spring to mow, mulch, or compost your leaves. Early spring pollinators wake up and get to work as soon as it is warm enough consistently to do so. This is when nighttime temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees for 1-2 weeks. This educational campaign ties in nicely with the No Mow May campaign, encouraging residents to take it slow in the spring on yard maintenance.
It is important to note that the vacuum trucks only operate in the fall. If you choose to have leaves picked up in the spring, they will need to be bagged or placed in approved yard waste containers. Chopped or mulched leaves will break down very quickly in garden beds, landscaping, and as lawn fertilizer.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Leave Your Leaves One Pager - LINK
USDA - Leave Your Leaves Resources - LINK
Xerces Society - Leave Your Leaves Resources - LINK
Burning of yard waste is strictly prohibited.