Leaves
Garden Clippings for Nov 5, 2022
The earth has been replenished again.
Every spring, leaves appear on trees and through three seasons, the leaves photosynthesize, provide shade and clean the air. Their job is done in autumn when leaves turn colour and drop to the forest floor.
But leaves are not done their duty after falling to the ground. As leaves break down, they return essential nutrients to the soil beneath. A good layer of leaves serves to insulate the soil, help preserve soil moisture and provides weed control.
Over the past few decades researchers have given us much clarity on the pros and cons of raking leaves. All the evidence concludes that where possible, leaves should be left on the ground to rot and assist the trees above them.
Every fall, homeowners face the dilemma of whether or not to rake their leaves. Most, like me, prefer a tidy yard, and will diligently gather leaves and deal with them appropriately.
The job of raking leaves always seems daunting at breakfast time, but by noon I can look back with gratification. The reward is much more than exercise and fresh air. For grass, a clean lawn reduces potentially harmful fungus, and prepares the lawn for healthy growth in spring. A clean lawn makes the property look neat and well cared for.
I am fortunate to have a back forty where I can dump leaves. Cheryl and I fill our wheelbarrow and dump the leaves on our mini compost site which conveniently sits at the edge of the woods. If I was truly intent on making compost, I would add a bit of soil and organic matter to the heap. If I took the time to periodically turn the compost, I could transform leaves to soil in just a few months.
Most homeowners don’t have a back forty and will need to put the leaves in bags destined for the City run compost facility. Workers there put compost in windrows and use front end loaders to continuously rotate the mix until the compost is ready to be used as nutrient rich topsoil.
My neighbour, who has been gardening for decades, gathers up leaves into piles and runs over them a few times with the mower, shredding them into small pieces about the size of corn flakes. He will then drag the bits out back, putting them on a small heap. By springtime, the leaves have mostly turned to compost, which is then added to the veggie garden.
Compost adds valuable nutrients to soil and improves water holding capacity to sandy soil. for clay soil, compost improves soil texture and increases drainage.
If you can leave a portion of the backyard for leaves to remain on the ground, birds, butterflies and small animals will be grateful. Pupae of moths and butterflies find winter protection in fallen leaves, while birds can find food for their young in spring. Bunnies, small snakes and worms find their nest and shelter in and under the insulation of fallen leaves and garden debris.
