To Rake or Not to Rake? What to do with all those leaves!
Fall is the time of the year when we marvel at the beautiful colours of the changing leaves but as they gather on our lawns, we are reminded of the tedious task of raking them up. Well, you can save some time and your back because a light layer of leaves left on your lawn is actually good for it. It’s also beneficial to the environment for a variety of reasons and here are just a few:
- Many insects and other animals hibernate for the winter in the fallen leaves which act as an insulating blanket and offer protection from the cold.
- These overwintering insects are an important food source for birds.
- As the leaves break down over the winter, they transform into a natural mulch, which enriches the soil and acts as a natural fertilizer.
While thick piles of leaves can impact the growth of grass and other plants come spring, leaving a light covering can improve the health of our gardens and lawns. If you have a lot of leaves, you could also add them to your garden and flower beds or tuck them under shrubs and bushes. Some folks may use a lawn mower to mulch the leaves into tiny pieces which means they break down and incorporate into the soil quicker.
Still have extra leaves? Remember you can put them into your green cart for composting by the City of Calgary. If your green cart is full, put the leaves in a paper yard waste bag making sure it is rolled up, weighs less than 20kg and is one foot to the side of your cart.
Want to learn more about putting your yard to bed for the season? Visit greencalgary.org for events this fall!
