#cosogardening #pollinators #insects
Leave the leaves in the fall.
https://xerces.org/blog/leave-the-leaves
Leaves are habitat, not trash
One of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the shelter they need to survive the winter.
Thankfully, that’s pretty easy; all you need to do is do less yard work.
@TrueBloodNet My small front yard is nothing but leafage - Diablo Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius), Dwarf crabapple, Harry Lauder Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta'), several roses, holly. To get anywhere in it I have to prune a path. There's about a 15 year accumulation of leafage on top of the bark mulch :)
@NorthernInvader kewlio! I have all those things but spread out. :) And, um, my walking stick is dead but almost as good as if it were still alive! (I have to replace the tiny solar lights on it by Tday though..LOL)
@TrueBloodNet Mine is thriving as is the ninebark . These shots will give you an idea of how dense it is :)
@NorthernInvader Beautiful! I love all the colors contrasting each other. Very nicely done!
DWS is dead because the 75 year old pine tree it was under died and had to be removed. It couldn't handle the change in light from near darkness to bright light and also, the weight on the ground changed drastically.
@NorthernInvader Yay! :) Go you!
I do leave the intact leaves where it's not on the actual lawn which is most of my 1.6ish acres. My lawn is mixed (less grass the better IMO) and needs mowing to meet city standards and keep the buckthorn smaller.. sighs. But I do leave the mulchmowed leaf bits on the lawn. Haven't had to fert in 30 years!