Raking leaves is right up there with weeding and snow removal in the fun factor, isn’t it? Homeownership certainly has it’s moments. But, chin up my fellow outdoor chore procrastinator, there may be a way out of one particular task of contention. Drop the rake, and rev up the lawn mower. Make your leaves into mulch and feed your grass, garden and beds.
Here are some arguments, presented by NPR, for NOT raking the leaves. (But don’t tell your kids this until raking day, then switch out the rake for a lawnmower)
Leave It Out Of Landfills
Every year about 8 million tons of leaves, collected from yards like yours and mine, end up in landfills.
(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Leaves Help The Grass
Honestly, my husband has said this for years, and I believed it was his excuse not to rake (which is probably was) but the point is, he was right. (I hope he isn’t reading this).
Leaves are full of all the good stuff; nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. According to the NPR article, as explained by a professor of landscape horticulture, Susan Barton, “Those nutrients are being returned to the soil. But probably even more important than that, it’s the organic matter. It’s the fact that you’ve got this tissue that then eventually decomposes and improves the soil health.”
Just remember they only work well when mulched, or mowed. Big leaves left on your lawn will block the sunlight it needs. So, you can’t be completely lazy.
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The Bugs will love you
According to experts, as cited in the NPR article, leaving the leaves also gives insects, slugs and spiders a habitat. And possibly a home for toads, turtles and smaller mammals. All important to the ecosystem.
(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Keep your beds warm
After you mow the leaves, you can leave piles around your garden beds and trees. The pros say the leaves protect your trees roots from the harsh winter weather. And spreading them around the shrubs and in the garden add nutrients to the soild .
(Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)
Leaves Are A Valuable Resource
Professor Susan Barton explains, “We want to think about those leaves as being a resource,” and not a problem, And when you think about sustainable landscaping, well, one of the things we say about sustainable landscaping is let natural processes happen. And that’s a natural process.”
(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
