10/25/2025
Leaves! 🍂 🍁
Do you leave the leaves? 😉 I recently read an article in the about a 2 year study regarding the effects of letting leaves stay where they fall.
This study looked at insect life rather than soil, which is something I hadn’t considered before.
What did they learn?
• Almost 2000 insects emerged in the spring from one square meter where leaves were left in place
• These insects provide natural pest control and included butterflies, moths, beetles, spiders, flies and native bees
• Pollination was also given a boost from the insects
What’s the ideal leaf leaving? To leave them where they fall
🍁Shredding leaves is almost as harmful to insects as removing the leaves
🍂 Moving leaves to an unmanaged spot (under a tree, in a corner) is still helpful
🍁 Using whole leaves in a light layer for mulch is good, just not too thick to allow insects an accurate read in the weather
🍂 Allow the leaves to stay in place for long term habitat (I’ve found a queen bumblebee in my undisturbed leaves 🐝)
So, realistically most of us will move leaves. I do a combo of leaving them in place under a tree, putting some at the curb for pick up, and moving some to garden beds for plant protection and soil benefit.
I thought this study was interesting enough to share, and I think doing what works is different for each of us.
Happy leaf season 🧡
Thank you to for sharing her gorgeous leaf photos!! Can you tell she loves fall?
