Gardeners will be relieved to hear experts advise them not to pick up dead leaves in their garden, as this will benefit both their own and their garden's health.
Does the seemingly hopeless task of raking up dead leaves that litter your lawn discourage you before you even begin? According to some horticultural experts, there’s no need to undertake this Sisyphean task every autumn and by leaving the leaves in place, you can help your garden and also your own mental well-being.
Garden owners are familiar with the ritual: when autumn comes, the garden is swamped with a carpet of fallen leaves. And whether you use a shovel, rake, or leaf blower to remove them, it is time-consuming. Only for a gust of wind to make it all for nothing.
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There is good news for those who would like to do without this task: according to several experts, it is not necessary and can even be counterproductive for the health of your garden. Here are three good reasons to save yourself this chore.
1. Your lawn will be healthier
Rich in potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, dead leaves are powerful allies for your garden. The nutrients they contain break down in the soil and will improve the health of the soil by nourishing it, making them a very good fertilizer.
Be careful, however, to not leave too thick layers of leaves on your lawn which can deprive it of light.
2. The wildlife in your garden will thank you
You may not know it, but dead autumn leaves are shelters for many animals: insects, spiders, slugs, amphibians. You may even be able to find small mammals such as shrews or hedgehogs under them.
3. You will reduce your waste
Once collected, the dead leaves recovered by individuals often end up at the dump. By keeping them in your garden, you will reduce the pressure on landfills.
