A few years ago, I started leaving leaves in my garden after learning about soil ecology. By spring, I found tons of worm castings in the beds. This year, I’m thinking about leaving one bed untouched entirely just to see what happens. If I had a leaf shredder, I’d probably spread them across all the beds. It’s all trial and error for me.
@Dell
If you mulch them enough with a mower, they break down quickly and aren’t as noticeable. It’s not perfect for bugs, but still good for the grass.
Sullivan said:
Leaving leaves to decompose can help fertilize your yard naturally. No need for extra fertilizers when they break down and release nutrients like nitrogen.
I’ve noticed it works best if you already have good grass and decent snow cover to help break the leaves down. Also, the type of leaves matters. Maple leaves break down fast, but oak leaves can stick around until May. Could be good for weed control though?
Sullivan said:
Leaving leaves to decompose can help fertilize your yard naturally. No need for extra fertilizers when they break down and release nutrients like nitrogen.
Is mulching leaves bad? I thought it helped them break down faster.
@Rowan
It’s not bad, but if you pile up too much, it can smother new growth. Moderation is key.
Sullivan said:
@Rowan
Mulching isn’t bad, but too much in one spot can create nutrient build-up that plants compete over. It’s all about balance.
Some mowers spread the material evenly when mulching, which can help.
I leave leaves in my garden beds and plant directly into them in the spring. My neighbor said it wouldn’t work, but I grew tomatoes, jalapeños, and herbs just fine!
Leaves are great for the soil and soul!
Yep! I saw birds hopping around snacking on insects today.
Oak said:
Yep! I saw birds hopping around snacking on insects today.
I’ve noticed more birds in my garden during winter since I started leaving leaves and not cutting back plants like sedums.
Oak said:
Yep! I saw birds hopping around snacking on insects today.
That explains why birds were hanging around my garden too. Thanks for the insight!
I pile about 4 inches of leaves on my raised beds over the winter. Helps with soil erosion, gives bugs a home, and adds nutrients. Win-win.
Phoenix said:
I pile about 4 inches of leaves on my raised beds over the winter. Helps with soil erosion, gives bugs a home, and adds nutrients. Win-win.
It’s definitely different with lawns though. Grass needs light and air to stay healthy. Kind of crazy how fragile grass is when we plant so much of it.
@Zane
Depends on the grass. Bermuda grass is nearly indestructible compared to most other types.
Yes, absolutely!
Keelan said:
I’ve got 6-8 mature oak trees, and the leaves pile up as high as my car seat on windy days. I bagged 10 bags yesterday, and it’s back to being covered today.
That’s a lot of trees! Maybe just focus on cleaning part of the yard and leave the rest?
I leave leaves in my garden until after the last frost. It’s great for all the little critters that overwinter.
The leaves from my trees are waxy and take forever to break down. I tried leaving them one year, and my garden was full of diseased plants because the sun couldn’t reach them.
Bennie said:
The leaves from my trees are waxy and take forever to break down. I tried leaving them one year, and my garden was full of diseased plants because the sun couldn’t reach them.
Good point. What works for one garden might not work for another.
I leave leaves everywhere except near the house to avoid attracting mice or bugs. It’s great for the garden.