Leave the leaves!

Happy Fall and rains... As we transition into this season and the trees keep dropping their beautiful leaves, I have a couple recommendations regarding leaves that might increase overall plant and human happiness. 

1. Leave some of the leaves around the trees they came from if its not a hindrance for your activity. Trees have evolved to use the life of their own leaf tissue to increase the biological activity and microorganisms in the soil. When we take all the leaves away, we interrupt this part of the cycle. The trees and I give you FULL permission to not rake every last leaf away and then throw them into your green bin or garbage bags, instead keeping that rich material on-site, and/or using it in your own home compost!

2. If you have a gardener who does this for you, you could suggest that they use a rake or electric leaf blowers (Fairfax Lumber offers a rebate for professional gardeners to switch) instead of a gas-powered leaf blower. *A two-stroke gas-powered leaf blower that is on for just 30 minutes emits more hydrocarbons and emissions than a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor does in a 3,900 mile cross-country drive (nytimes.com/2021/10/25/opinion/leaf-blowers-california-emissions.html). This statistic is insane. It is also healthier for the body to use a rake, not to mention that there’s not many things plants hate more than hot, dry air being blown right on them. 

3. If you don’t want your leaves, I’ll take them and make leaf-mold or a rich organic fertilizer!

Cheers :)