As fall begins, don’t rush to rake your leaves to the curb for collection by Takoma Park. Instead, consider, how you can use these leaves to nourish wildlife, feed your soil, and enrich your garden beds. Ecologically, the best solution for leaves that fall on soft ground is just to leave them.

Did you know that fireflies, whose twinkling light show we enjoy so much in early summer, spend most of their lives as larvae in leaf litter? Fallen leaves create a winter habitat for many of the summer critters we love. Toads, woolly bear caterpillars, ladybugs, beetles, luna moth cocoons, great spangled fritillary caterpillars, box turtles, snails, and spiders may also hide in your leaf litter.

Leaves that fall on patios and other hard surfaces can be raked into garden beds and piled around trees and shrubs. In fact, it’s better for trees to have decaying leaves rather than turf grass over their roots. Consider also piling leaves high to smother grass to start new beds for native plants, especially where you have lawn that you only walk on when mowing or raking.

While you can mow the remaining leaves, this will also shred the insects and eggs that would otherwise overwinter in the leaf litter. (Learn more about creating habitat with leaf litter through the links provided here.)

Finally, take your cues from nature and let things be. Standing hollow plant stems provide places for insects to nest and lay eggs, and brush piles can provide a warm winter habitat for other wildlife.

By trying new ways of managing fallen leaves and garden debris, you contribute to a more sustainable and ecologically friendly approach to yard care. So, this fall, leave your leaves wherever possible and let nature take its course.

–Sharon Broderick and Meg Voorhes

For information on leaving the leaves as an ecological practice, explore the links and video provided here. You will also find information on the city’s new I’m a Leaf Saver program.