Whether you should compost leaves or leave them be depends on your garden’s needs and your goals.
I prefer to leave them be – it’s simply less work.
Both options have benefits, and understanding them can help you make the best choice.
Composting Leaves
Composting leaves is an excellent way to recycle nutrients and create rich, organic matter for your garden.
Here’s why composting might be a good option:
Compsting Improves Soil Health
Compost made from leaves adds essential nutrients to your soil, enhancing its structure and fertility. It’s great for flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, or even potted plants.
It Reduces Waste
Instead of bagging leaves for disposal, composting keeps them out of landfills and puts them to good use.
You Can Shred the Leaves and Speed Up Breakdown
Shredded leaves compost faster than whole ones. Mixing leaves with green materials (like kitchen scraps) balances carbon and nitrogen, accelerating decomposition.
When to Compost Leaves
If you need compost for your garden, have the time to manage a compost pile, or want to prevent a thick layer of leaves from smothering your lawn, composting is a great choice.
Leaving Leaves in Place
Leaving leaves in your garden or lawn can also be beneficial.
Here’s why you might skip composting:
Natural Mulch
A layer of leaves insulates soil, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. Over time, they break down and enrich the soil.
Wildlife Habitat: Leaves provide shelter for insects, pollinators, and small animals. Butterflies, moths, and other beneficial creatures overwinter in leaf litter.
It Saves Your Time and Effort
Instead of raking and bagging, letting leaves stay where they fall saves you work and supports a natural ecosystem.
When to Leave Leaves
If the leaves are on garden beds, under trees, or in naturalized areas where they won’t smother grass, leaving them alone can be a low-maintenance, eco-friendly choice.
A Balanced Approach
Mulch Leaves on the Lawn
Use a mower to shred leaves into small pieces, which decompose faster and nourish the grass.
Rake and Redistribute
Rake excess leaves from high-traffic areas or your lawn and spread them as mulch around trees and shrubs.
Compost the Rest
Add leaves you don’t want to leave in place to your compost pile for future use.
By composting some leaves and leaving others in place, you get the best of both worlds: healthy soil, a thriving ecosystem, and a tidy yard.
