Don‘t feel like raking your leaves? Don’t worry.
State officials and the National Wildlife Federation are encouraging the no-rake movement, and sharing how leaving the leaves on your grass this fall can benefit the environment.
Leaf litter provides habitat for animals, insects
Letting leaves stay on the ground throughout the fall, winter and spring is good for the environment because it provides a home for different animals and insects, such as chipmunks, toads, caterpillars, box turtles and earthworms, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Birds find insects to eat in the leaf litter, and according to the National Wildlife Federation, 94% of species rely on a leaf layer to complete their life cycles.
No-rake movement nourishes soil, averts air pollution
Keeping a layer of leaves is also beneficial to the environment because as leaves decompose, they nourish the soil, like a natural fertilizer," according to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
In addition, leaving the leaves avoids the need for leaf blowers, which reduces air pollution and fossil fuels.
“It’s kind of getting back into nature,” said Aaron Hiday, compost program coordinator with EGLE. “The leaves are going to decompose and be beneficial to your soil. Saves you from having to rake them up, and it’s good for your yard.”
Options if you don’t want to leave the leaves
If you don’t want to leave a thick layer of leaves in your yard, there are few steps you can take to help benefit the environment.
To break up the leaf layer and ensure light reaches the grass below, people can mulch the leaves with a mower.
If leaves cannot be left in the yard, due to municipal ordinances or personal preference, you can rake them into garden beds.
The leaves can also be composted to create soil. EGLE’s website has guidance on how to compost.
“You actually don’t need a lot of space,” Hiday said. “You can make a very simple compost bin out of reclaimed pallets, or I’ve even seen people do it with snow fence, which is a really cheap way to do it. And it’s pretty effective. Composting is nature’s way of turning your leaves and grass into a valuable soil conditioner.”
