October 28th

By Mutt Mulligan

3 reasons not to rake your leaves this fall

If raking leaves is one of your least favorite chores, we have good news for you! The National Wildlife Federation says it’s better to let your leaves lie where they fall than to rake them up.

Turns out, your leaves make up an important part of nature’s ecosystem. A good reminder that nature starts in your own backyard!

• The leaf layer is its own mini ecosystem and provides food and habitat for many insects, chipmunks, toads, earthworms and more.
• Leaves create a natural mulch for your plants and lawn, suppressing weeds and fertilizing the soil as they break down.
• Many butterflies and moths spend the winter in leaf litter. So, if you get rid of your tree debris, you’re also eliminating these species. That not only robs you of their beauty come spring, but it also means a missing link in the food chain.

Aren’t living landscapes cool? To learn more about their importance and benefits, go to LivingLandscapesMatter.com.