It’s happening early this year, maybe because of the drought we had in early summer, or maybe because of the more than 30″ of rain we’ve had since August 1, but there they are those paper bags full of leaves lined up like sentinels along the sidewalk.
If only people knew how many butterfly chrysalides and larva they are throwing away, let alone the salamanders, frogs, and toads who make their home in those leaves!
My ecosystem garden is designed to create welcoming habitat for wildlife; that is its purpose. The beauty of my garden is because so many different birds, butterflies, bees and other critters have chosen to share my space with me. And that means the leaves stay in my garden.
My friend Pat Sutton wrote eloquently about fall garden chores and how our wildlife friends would be much better off if we relaxed these chores a bit. Don’t miss her funny description of the woodland elves dancing around the forest to clean out ponds!
Heather Holm has given us a detailed post about the many kinds of wildlife who make their homes in the leaf litter. Her photographs of these critters are stunning, so go and check them out now. Plus, wouldn’t it be nice if our environment was not filled with the sounds of leaf blowers every fall weekend from now through Thanksgiving?
Kathy Green has also written about tidy wildlife gardens, and given a great series of thought-provoking questions to make wildlife a priority in our gardens. When you think about your answers to each of these questions, you will be able to create more welcoming habitat for wildlife in your garden.
My advice, drop your rake, pick up your binoculars to enjoy the spectacle of fall migration in your wildlife garden!
What are your thoughts on fall garden chores in your wildlife garden?
© 2011, Carole Sevilla Brown. All rights reserved. This article is the property of EcosystemGardening.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Carole Sevilla Brown
I live in the desert southwest. I have very sandy soil with very little nutrients. When the leaves drop, I rake them up and put them in a flower bed. I have been doing this for years and now the soil in the flower bed great.
I live in Southern CA. I have been collecting oak leaves from the many mature trees we have. They are the best mulch and really enrich the soil.
“The beauty of my garden is because so many different birds, butterflies, bees and other critters have chosen to share my space with me. And that means the leaves stay in my garden.”
I am so glad you wrote this post. Every Autumn it’s the same thing: leaves bagged up as trash. Hopefully more folks are getting the message about just what they are throwing away.
It is a pity that so many obsess over tidiness to the detriment of joyous creatures. At least there are not as many of those horrid plastic pumpkins along the curb and sitting out in peoples lawns full of rich composting and metamorphosing life. I have heard that there is a fungus ? on the Maples and that is making so many leaves fall after turning brown. I have been noticing more than just the Maples turning brown and looking sad. Important message Carole! Thank You!