Leaves: Autumn’s Crop

This time of year, we are all talking about nature’s autumnal gift: falling leaves. So what do you do with them? Most might say burn them, but there are more options than you think!

Leaves are actually an abundant crop this time of year. Leaves are a free, plentiful fertilizer full of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and more – nutrients that your lawn and garden thrive on. Rather than buying a $50 bag of fertilizer in the spring, consider mowing, mulching, or composting your leaves this fall. 

Why not landfill?
Michigan law prohibits leaves, grass clippings, garden debris, and other yard waste from being disposed of in the landfill. When these organic materials  break down in landfills, it releases methane gas. Methane gas is the leading cause of climate change. Methane gas heats up our planet by insulating heat. 

Don’t spend time and money bagging up your leaves! Reap the benefits of leaving the leaves! Keep the nutrients in the ground and the gasses out of the atmosphere by using one of the options below.

Leave the Leaves
Fallen leaves are crucial to wildlife – keeping them warm and safe over the winter. Bees, moths, butterflies, snails, spiders, and dozens of arthropods and other pollinators overwinter in dead plant material. For example, queen bumblebees burrow only an inch or two into the earth to hibernate for winter, relying on leaf litter to keep them insulated. Many butterflies overwinter as chrysalises or cocoons disguised as dry leaves to hide from predators.

Here are just a few of the many wildlife that need fallen leaves:

• Monarch butterfly
• Bumblebees
• Fireflies
• Io months

Let’s not rake, mow, and blow away a bit of nature that is essential to our lives, food, and environment. Don’t like the look of leaves? Reserve a leaf pile out of sight for pollinators and other wildlife to overwinter.

Mow into Lawn
That’s free, high quality fertilizer! Save money and get a beautiful lawn when you mow fallen leaves. Michigan State University (MSU) researchers have shown that lawns benefit from a thin layer of leaves. This leaf litter provides all the nutrients of fertilizer, slowly released all year. The MSU researchers recommend mulching leaves into the soil with a 3-inch high blade once a week while leaves are falling. Then, mulched leaves will break down over time and add nutrients to the soil so you don’t have to fertilize next year.

Mulch
Just like lawns, your gardens, flower beds, and more benefits! Leaves make an excellent protective mulch. They not only suppress weeds and help retain soil moisture but, because they contain no weed seeds themselves, they fight the spread of new weeds.

Just cover the area with a layer of chopped leaves to keep the soil from washing away over the winter. Be sure to chop or shred leaves before using them as mulch. Whole leaves can form a mat that water can’t penetrate.

Compost
Leaves can also be raked up into a bin or pile to turn into nutrient-rich compost. Learn how to compost by checking out our guide “Composing 101”.

Burn
While burning your leaves is not the best use of them, follow these tips:

Whenever you burn, have a shovel and water source nearby and never leave a fire unattended. Avoid burning on a windy day when hot embers can be whisked up by the wind into dry grasses or leaves. 

Remember to check if a burn permit is required and know your local ordinances. Most wildfires are started by people burning yard clippings and leaves. Contact your local fire department or municipality on burn permit regulations and ordinances.  

Find more information on safe burning at Michigan.gov/PreventWildfires.

Check your municipality for options
Many of our local cities and villages offer residents leaf pick up in the fall. A few townships also offer drop off options at transfer stations. Find your local information by finding your municipality on our webpage: VanBurenCD.org/about