Don’t Rake — Regenerate!

Fallen leaves are a critical part of our local ecosystem

Leaving leaves on the ground over the winter is one of the simplest and most beneficial things you can do for your yard and the environment. Here’s why:

🌿 1. They create natural mulch

Fallen leaves form a protective blanket that:

• Insulates plant roots and soil from freezing temperatures

• Helps retain soil moisture

• Reduces erosion and compaction from winter rain and snow

🐛 2. They support wildlife

Many creatures rely on leaf litter for survival:

• Butterflies, moths, and fireflies overwinter as eggs, larvae, or pupae in leaves

• Birds and small mammals find food and shelter among the leaf cover

• Beneficial insects use it as a safe habitat until spring

🌱 3. They enrich the soil

As leaves decompose, they return valuable nutrients to the soil, improving its structure and fertility—essentially acting as free compost.

💨 4. They reduce waste and emissions

When leaves are bagged and sent to landfills, they create methane as they decompose without oxygen. Leaving them in place or composting them reduces that waste and cuts down on pollution from leaf blowers and trucks that collect yard waste.

⚖️ 5. You can manage them strategically

If thick layers of leaves smother your lawn, you can:

• Mulch them with a mower to break them down faster

• Rake them into garden beds or under trees where they’ll do the most good

In short: leaving (or lightly mulching) your leaves helps nature, saves time, and nourishes your yard!