Leave the leaves!

As we enter fall, and many feel the desire to begin tidying their yards before winter arrives….don’t!

As the wonderful Xerces Society reminds us, leaving most of your leaves and slightly “messy” dead flowers allows a multitude of creatures to eat, nest and prepare for the long winter ahead. Leaving dried up seed heads also let’s those seeds spread and ensure your Joe Pye Weed will pop up in the new wildflower areas you may be cultivating in your yards! Think of the time you’ll save not raking and enjoy the natural process as our gardens quiet down to replenish their nutrients and hibernate a bit.