The importance of leaving the fallen leaves be

One of the mistakes that the gardening world makes over the years is to collect fallen leaves from around the plants. Although it makes sense to clean up autumn leaves from pathways to prevent slipping and remove them from lawns to avoid damaging the grass as it is covered in shade, the recommendation that they should be removed from planting surfaces is not accurate.

The recommendation is: you should remove fallen leaves around the plants to reduce pests and avoid shading the plants. Both pieces of advice are counterintuitive, and I will explain why.

  Fallen leaves are nature's way

If we look into nature, it will tell us everything we need to know about gardening. In the wild, leaves fall and form the basis of most organic matter that stimulates growth the following year. Leaves decompose thanks to various organisms in the ecosystem, including earthworms, insects, bacteria, and other microorganisms. People often ask me, "What's the point of earthworms?" and the answer is simple - one of their important roles is to break down fallen leaves, recycling them into humus rich in nutrients that plants use for future growth. Another answer is: as food for beneficial animals.

Fallen leaves are a habitat for earthworm predators

If you feel like you have a problem with pests, the best thing you can do is leave the fallen leaves because it is home to their natural predators. Beetles, centipedes, frogs, slow worms, hedgehogs - all these animals hide and live under moist, protective fallen leaves most of the year. They feed - nourish - on pests and other insects that want to nibble. Remove the leaves, and you will also remove the predators of pests, which will then turn to what remains of your plants.

Natural cover that makes your life easier!

Gardening tips from the past tell us to remove the leaves in autumn, and then place compost around the plants. Why? Leaves are a natural cover that decomposes and is pulled into the soil by worms and other soil dwellers. People are concerned that leaves may smother smaller plants, but they usually move around the plants as autumn progresses, as it naturally happens in the wild. Many perennial plants will naturally go dormant in winter and grow through the fallen leaves, which is no different from growing through the soil. In fact, leaves provide a layer of protection from winter cold. If you have smaller evergreen plants, you can rake the leaves away or move them to a more suitable place or replace them with something more tolerant. Ferns, for example, can be evergreen but are also extremely shade-tolerant, and plants that like shade like ferns will not push out leaves around a thin layer of leaves in winter.

Fallen leaves do not persist long in a healthy ecosystem

Most fallen leaves will fall around the plants and begin to decompose quickly, especially in a healthy ecosystem. Above, you can see how the leaves that have fallen from the large rowan, birch, and amelanchier trees have practically all been absorbed into the soil within a month. It is true that some trees like oak and beech have tougher leaves that take much longer to decompose. However, these provide fantastic habitats for beneficial animals such as frogs, slow worms, and hedgehogs. Only larger plants like big ferns are needed for leaves to fall around them, not on them.

Benefits of fallen leaves:

• Beautiful addition to the wild world

• Contribute to ecosystem health

• Reduce maintenance

Take a second look at the fallen leaves. Remove them from pathways and lawns, but keep them around your plants. This may mean adjusting what you plant a little, but it's all part of becoming a better gardener. By creating a beautiful garden for yourself, it's easier to care for and brilliant for the planet.