Every fall, it starts the same way. The air turns crisp, your rake reappears from the garage, and your weekend calendar mysteriously fills up with “yard work.” Half a dozen leaf piles later, you’re sweaty, sore and starting to doubt the point. After all, the leaves look beautiful blanketing the grass, and you’ve heard whispers that maybe, just maybe, it’s better to leave them alone.
Still, it’s hard not to feel the urge to tidy up when your yard starts resembling an abandoned lot and your homeowners association gives you not-so-subtle clues you’re ruining the neighborhood’s vibe. So what’s the right move? Should you rake, mulch or let nature take its course? We asked an expert to settle the debate.
Leave any assumptions at the curb, and read on to find out what to do with your fallen foliage.
Why shouldn’t you rake all your leaves?
Fallen leaves are good for the earth and its creatures, according to Spencer Campbell, the manager of the Plant Clinic at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. He’s spent years studying what really happens when leaves hit the ground and reveals that, for many environmentally minded homeowners, letting the leaves lie is less about laziness and more about smart stewardship…