Should You 'Leave the Leaves' on the Ground?
2023-11-10
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1There is a growing movement to leave leaves on the ground, instead of gathering them to be disposed of.
2The idea is to avoid sending bagged-up fallen leaves to landfills.
3Instead they will naturally decompose over the winter into rich organic matter.
4The matter also shelters pollinators and other insects.
5Done correctly, leaving the leaves is one of the best ways to turn yard waste into free fertilizer, which is good for plants, the environment, and saving money.
6But it is important to consider the types of leaves that are falling and where they are landing.
7Whole leaves should not be permitted to remain on walkways, where they could make the path dangerously slippery.
8They should also not be left on grass lawns, where they are likely to cause disease.
9Although some grasses can handle a small amount of leaf waste, too much can threaten their health.
10In areas that experience snow cover, water would become trapped between grass and leaves.
11That could lead to mold and other fungal infections.
12In areas without snow, whole leaves that cover grasses block water and sunlight from reaching the soil below.
13Many people choose to break up the leaves using a machine and let the pieces to fall between pieces of grass.
14Then the pieces break down further in the soil. However, this treatment can kill insects and their eggs.
15Another method is to take the leaves off the lawn and spread them lightly to cover garden beds.
16The leaves mostly break down by spring and almost entirely by summer.
17But if not, they should be removed before spring growth begins.
18Leaves also can be used to make leaf mold, a type of compost made entirely from leaves.
19Just pile them up in a corner, add nitrogen fertilizer, and water it to keep it from drying out.
20It may take a year or two, but the leaves will break down into a nutritious soil.
21Some leaves prevent the growth of other plants.
22Black walnut, for example, contains a poison in its leaves that kills many plants, including hydrangeas, petunias, apples, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes.
23Avoid putting leaves in beds if the leaves are especially large or thick, like those of oaks.
24Their slow decomposition rates could block sunlight and water from the soil and plant roots.
25Fallen leaves are nature's mulch.
26They build fertile soil, protect plant roots and shelter wildlife, in your garden, and elsewhere. Why waste that important resource?
27I'm Dan Novak.
1There is a growing movement to leave leaves on the ground, instead of gathering them to be disposed of. 2The idea is to avoid sending bagged-up fallen leaves to landfills. Instead they will naturally decompose over the winter into rich organic matter. The matter also shelters pollinators and other insects. 3Done correctly, leaving the leaves is one of the best ways to turn yard waste into free fertilizer, which is good for plants, the environment, and saving money. But it is important to consider the types of leaves that are falling and where they are landing. 4Whole leaves should not be permitted to remain on walkways, where they could make the path dangerously slippery. They should also not be left on grass lawns, where they are likely to cause disease. 5Although some grasses can handle a small amount of leaf waste, too much can threaten their health. In areas that experience snow cover, water would become trapped between grass and leaves. That could lead to mold and other fungal infections. In areas without snow, whole leaves that cover grasses block water and sunlight from reaching the soil below. 6Many people choose to break up the leaves using a machine and let the pieces to fall between pieces of grass. Then the pieces break down further in the soil. However, this treatment can kill insects and their eggs. 7Another method is to take the leaves off the lawn and spread them lightly to cover garden beds. The leaves mostly break down by spring and almost entirely by summer. But if not, they should be removed before spring growth begins. 8Leaves also can be used to make leaf mold, a type of compost made entirely from leaves. Just pile them up in a corner, add nitrogen fertilizer, and water it to keep it from drying out. It may take a year or two, but the leaves will break down into a nutritious soil. 9Some leaves prevent the growth of other plants. Black walnut, for example, contains a poison in its leaves that kills many plants, including hydrangeas, petunias, apples, peppers, tomatoes and potatoes. 10Avoid putting leaves in beds if the leaves are especially large or thick, like those of oaks. Their slow decomposition rates could block sunlight and water from the soil and plant roots. 11Fallen leaves are nature's mulch. They build fertile soil, protect plant roots and shelter wildlife, in your garden, and elsewhere. Why waste that important resource? 12I'm Dan Novak. 13Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. 14______________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16decompose - v. to cause something to be slowly destroyed and broken down by natural processes, chemicals, etc. 17fertilizer - n. a substance (such as manure or a special chemical) that is added to soil to help the growth of plants 18mold - n. a container that is used to give its shape to something that is poured or pressed into it 19compost - n. a decayed mixture of plants that is used to improve the soil in a garden 20mulch - n. a material that is spread over the ground in a garden to protect the plants or help them grow and to stop weeds from growing