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.
Leaves, brush piles, fallen logs, plant stems, and flower heads might not be growing anymore, but they aren’t trash — they are natural homes for wildlife! A layer of leaves is vital insulation from the cold for the many animals that hide within (or in the soil beneath), like quite a few butterflies. Others, like many native bees, nest within stems, flower heads, or pieces of wood. Throwing out all of your leaves and other plant material isn’t just taking away options for shelter; there’s a good chance you’re tossing out many animals that have already settled in!
That’s why this year and every year, we are making the case for leaving the leaves. That’s not to say you can’t do any tidying up. We have tips for thoughtful autumn cleanup that still leaves space for nature. You’ll also meet just a few of the many animals you’ll be saving. Read on!
I did this last year and I was amazed by the number of fireflies we had this year, especially after how few we’ve had in recent years. I hadn’t thought to move the leaves to the flower gardens, might need to try that this year with some of the leaves.
This is illegal in some places, unfortunately. They’re a fire risk.
here in the pnw they turn into slime as the rains progress. I despise having to clean them up but don’t want them killing the ferns and moss patches that make up my ‘lawn’. would prefer to have dump piles where they’d decompose but we get high wind storms. :|
I’m mulching them because it seems like the most common insect wintering in my leaves is a tick.
How can you tell if the leaves are supporting more ticks?
I walk through them with my dog and my legs, I find ticks.
I mulch my lawn and I do not find ticks.
When fall or winter weather goes below freezing, the ticks become inactive and hunker down under the leaf litter for protection. But during warm spells even in mid winter they can re-activate, which was apparently what happened in your situation.>
Thanks for that additional info!
