Fertilizer, Bird Food, and Mulch

Pawpaw leaves ready to fall

Did you know there is a magical product that can deliver all these things: fertilizer, bird food, and mulch? It’s an all-natural mulch, keeping the roots of your trees and shrubs not just moist but also cool or warm as needed. Insects like to nestle in it, providing opportunities for birds to find a snack or a meal. Over time it breaks down, providing a slow-release fertilizer to all the plants around. Best of all, this product is free! All you have to do is manage it. It’s called leaves.

I am pleased that the message of ‘leaving the leaves’ is getting around these days and for a variety of reasons. My Facebook news feed might be a little skewed given how many environmental groups that I follow, but I see that the message is also being picked up and distributed by local communities and news outlets.

A thick layer of leaves in the forest in a state park (not a lawn)

Where possible, gently move leaves from sidewalks and lawns using soft rakes, brooms (brooms even work on lawns), and even your hands. Avoid using blowers and lawn mowers that might harm overwintering insects with fast speeds and cutting blades. It is helpful if you have deep beds or semi-natural areas to contain them (this might be a good time to consider reducing the lawn!) If you have nowhere to put them, consider gently bagging them and offering them to friends or local community gardens.

In early fall, I sweep just enough down the driveway to walk

While some folks are even recommending that leaves simply be left on the lawn, that’s not always possible and might damage it if the quantity is heavy. Consider it though, especially once you’ve dealt with the initial drop and only a few more have fallen.

So sit back, watch the leaves turn nice colors and fall and then just do as little as you can in dealing with them. There will be benefits to you and nature too. Oh, and tell the others too!

An example of leaves that can be left on the lawn