The fall season is officially here, bringing with it the anticipated, beautiful display of reds, oranges, and yellows in our trees. But wouldn’t it be nice if those leaves could just stay put? Instead, they blanket our lawn, giving homeowners yet another chore that eats into weekend time for apple picking and football watching.
Most people don’t even realize why we need to rake leaves in the first place. The reason is that, once covered with leaves, the grass beneath can be deprived of sunlight. Spring is the most important growing season for many types of grass, and if leaves aren’t raked in the fall, your lawn will look like a mess—and fail to grow—at this crucial time of year.
In nature, where the earth isn’t meticulously well groomed like our lawns, falling leaves serve an important role. With a little help from others, the leaves decompose , reintroducing valuable nutrients into the soil, playing a valuable role in the natural cycle of the ecosystem.
So why not take this natural process and use it to keep landscaping healthy and vibrant? Many experienced gardeners do just that, shredding the leaves and tilling them into the soil in their gardens or the pots of indoor plants. Even without shredding, a pile of leaves will decompose into compost given enough time.
For many gardeners, the best part about using leaves as compost is that it gives purpose to the tedious chore of raking. Instead of mumbling and grumbling about how you should be relaxing on the couch, you can think of it as a chance to participate in the circle of life and the miracle of nature.
For more plant and gardening tips from the best interior landscaping service in New Jersey, stick to the Foliage Design Systems blog.