What are the benefits of leaving fallen leaves in your yard?

Leaving fallen leaves in your yard provides natural nutrients for your lawn's soil as the leaves decompose, eliminating the need for fertilizers. The leaves also serve as crucial winter habitats for insects and other wildlife.

How can leaving leaves save municipalities money?

If more homeowners leave their fallen leaves in their yards rather than bagging and disposing of them, it can significantly reduce the costs associated with leaf collection for local municipalities.

What should you do if you have an abundance of fallen leaves?

If you have more fallen leaves than your yard can accommodate, experts recommend keeping the first and last few weeks' worth and composting or mulching the rest to still benefit your lawn and garden.

Home / Environment / Leaves Bring Life: How Letting Them Be Benefits Your Lawn and Wildlife

Leaves Bring Life: How Letting Them Be Benefits Your Lawn and Wildlife

10 Nov

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Summary

Leaving fallen leaves provides natural nutrients for lawns, reducing need for fertilizers
Leaves serve as habitat for insects and other wildlife during winter
Municipalities can save on leaf collection costs if residents leave them in yards

Leaves Bring Life: How Letting Them Be Benefits Your Lawn and Wildlife

As the weather turns crisp in North Jersey, the annual ritual of leaf-raking is upon us. However, a growing movement is encouraging homeowners to reconsider this practice. The "Leave the Leaves" initiative, promoted by the National Wildlife Federation, highlights the many benefits of allowing fallen foliage to remain in yards.

According to the organization's recent survey, the majority of people still remove their leaves rather than using them for compost or mulch. But experts say this is a missed opportunity. By leaving the leaves, homeowners can provide natural nutrients to their lawn's soil as the organic matter decomposes, eliminating the need for fertilizers. Additionally, the leaves serve as crucial winter habitats for caterpillars, moths, bumblebees, and other insects.