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Sep 26

Embrace a Lazy Mindset this Fall Cleanup Season

Four beneficial reasons to Leave the Leaves, and ideas on how to do it while maintaining a polished landscape.

Leave the leaves this fall!

At some point we have learned that when cool autumnal temps roll in, we must roll up our sleeves and head outdoors to remove any signs of nature’s declining beauty. So we gas up our leaf blowers and mowers, grab our rakes and a stack of yard waste bags and begin the annual fall cleanup. We tire our bodies creating piles of leaves, clipping dead stems off of flowers and shrubs and gathering fallen debris to be hauled away at the curb, all for the satisfaction of an orderly lawn as we wait patiently until spring. 


The irony is that in "cleaning up” this seasonal matter, we are actually forgetting how purposeful Mother Nature can be and the vitalness each season plays in nature’s life cycle. 


By taking a laissez-faire approach to fall cleanup this year, you can spare your time, money, resources and physical well-being while actually benefiting the environment and promoting a healthier yard next spring. These are four reasons to leave the leaves this fall, and some ideas on how to work together with nature to satisfy that hard-to-ignore desire of keeping a tidy lawn. 


Four Reasons to Leave the Leaves During Fall Cleanup


1.) Leaf litter and dead plant material provide important shelter to a variety of insects and pollinators who use it as an overwintering habitat and nesting material to protect their eggs from cold temperatures and predators. It’s important for these tiny creatures to maintain a safe haven during winter’s dormancy so they’ll be ready to perform their important pollinating duties for crops and flowers come spring.

The luna moth is one of the many insects that overwinters as a cocoon in fallen leaf matter.
Moths and butterflies survive winter by building cocoons and chrysalis in dead leaf matter. The luna moth is one example. (Photo by Sara Parlier on Unsplash)

2.) Many animals, including birds, frogs, turtles and even chipmunks and squirrels, rely on overwintering insects in leaf material as a source of food during the cold months. Some of these animals use leaf matter to create insulation for burrows and nests, while others, such as amphibians, benefit from the moisture available in the decaying wet material. Though the impact of these creatures' food and shelter may not seem directly important to us, their well-being is necessary to the balance of our ecosystem.

The black-capped chickadee, and other birds like the Downy woodpecker and Carolina wrens, are among some that survive on insects as part of their winter diets.
The black-capped chickadee and other birds, like the Downy woodpecker and Carolina wrens, are among some that survive on insects as part of their winter diets. (Photo by Margaret Strickland on Unsplash

3.) Fallen leaves act as an insulation barrier, protecting root systems from cracks in the soil that can be detrimental during periods of extreme temperature change or harmful frost. This is especially helpful to young plants and trees, and can enhance the long-term health of our landscapes.


4.) Leaf matter is a great natural mulch. When decomposing leaves are consumed by bacteria and fungi, organic nutrients are offered to the soil, creating a natural fertilizer for healthier plant roots. This natural mulch also helps to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil while preventing soil erosion and water runoff. Healthier roots mean healthier plants and a thriving landscape when spring and summer return.

There are many benefits to leaving the leaves this fall.

Taking a Tidy, Earth-friendly Approach to Fall Cleanup


If you’re seeking a middle ground between a well-kept lawn and one that is mindful of nature’s need for fallen leaves and dead plant material, try incorporating some of these solutions:


  • Rake or blow leaves as ground mulch around the base of trees. This helps to benefit the health of the tree roots and surrounding soil while getting the leaves off of your lawn.


  • Mow leaves finely to spread as organic fertilizer in flower beds, vegetable gardens or across lawns. Along with offering nutrients, the shredded material breaks down quicker and helps to retain water. It also keeps out weeds and insulates plant roots.


  • Add finely mowed leaves to compost. When mixed with green grass clippings and food waste, this brown matter helps to achieve a healthy carbon-to-nitrogen balance, which is key to rich composted soil.


  • Move any pruned perennials and woody stems to an undisturbed, out-of-sight location until spring. Any insects using the material as habitat or nesting material for their eggs can ride out the winter until spring when the material can be disposed. Seed heads can also be collected for planting.


  • Rake or blow leaves to a less noticeable area of the property. Though it may not always be ideal to leave the leaves in your landscape, try to commit to keeping some by moving them to a more inconspicuous spot on your property. A thin, useful layer is better than no leaf matter at all.


While annual fall cleanup used to mean a leaf-free yard in time for winter, heightened environmental awareness has inspired a trend toward more mindful lawncare practices and an emphasis on the importance of preserving natural landscapes. It's a shift worth embracing—so go ahead, give yourself permission to change your approach to fall cleanup this year, and feel good about doing it!


—Jill Span Hofbauer


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