This Fall - a win-win-win that starts with less raking!

You may want to think about your leaves differently this fall. In addition to less raking, think about leaving some to support vital wildlife habitat, and to provide a natural mulch to suppress weeds as well as a natural fertilizer for your garden soil as leaf material breaks down over the cold months.

National Wildlife Federation naturalist David Mizejewski reports that “fallen leaves provide vital habitats for critters ranging from turtles and toads to birds, mammals and invertebrates that rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring. Fallen leaves also form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down. Why spend money on mulch and fertilizer when you can make your own?” For more tips read the full article here:  https://www.nwf.org/en/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2015/OctNov/Gardening/Leave-the-Leaves

Need another reason? “The less time you spend raking leaves,” Mizejewski says, “the more time you’ll have to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather and the wildlife that visits your garden.”