Garden Tip 72:
LEAVE THE LEAVES!
LEAVE THE LEAVES!The hard frosts have come and the leaves have fallen. We are all familiar now with the idea of leaving the leaves. Leaves break down in the soil adding nutrients and organic matter and over a short time become gardeners gold.
I mow my lawn frequently this time of year not to cut the grass but to mulch, bag and harvest the leaves that have fallen on the lawn. I spread these mulched leaves on garden beds near walkways and outdoor living areas.
In larger garden beds and shrub borders I simply rake the leaves into the beds. Sometimes leaving the leaves involves moving some of the leaves as a part of good garden maintenance.