Leave the Leaves: Free Mulch, Healthier Soil, Happy Fireflies

(KNSI) – Experts now confirm what the lawn has suspected all along: not raking leaves is actually ‘sustainable yard management.’

Leaving leaves in place not only saves muscle aches, it also feeds the soil and shelters the bugs.

The National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski explains homeowners are encouraged to move some of the leaves they’ve cleared from open yards and sidewalks into garden beds where they serve as natural mulch. “If we get rid of all the leaves in the fall and we throw them out, you’re literally throwing away entire generations of pollinators, of fireflies, which of course everybody loves seeing.”

Another added bonus, according to Mizejewski, is the leaves protect soil moisture and cut down on weed growth as they slowly compost and return nurtients to the roots of plants, which come are useful later on. “Come spring, you can use that, what’s called ‘leaf mold.’ It’s really nutrient-rich compost that you can spread around your garden beds and even your vegetable gardens.”

Leaf mold can hold up to 500% of its weight in water, making it ideal for sandy soils or container gardening.

Chipmunks and songbirds can forage and nest in the leaf layer.

So the rake can stay in the garage this fall. Backs, lawns and fireflies will all be better for it.

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