Why You Should Leave the Leaves in Your Yard This Fall, According to Experts

As temperatures drop and leaves begin to fall, many of us reach for rakes to tidy up our yards. But what if, instead of raking, bagging, and tossing those leaves, you let them stay? There’s a growing “Leave the Leaves” movement that encourages homeowners to do just that. In fact, October is National Leave the Leaves Month to help raise awareness around this simple shift in yard care. Here’s why leaving your leaves could be one of the best things you do this fall—and how to do it in a way that keeps your yard looking beautiful.

Leaves Support Wildlife

At first glance, fallen leaves might seem insignificant, but there is a bustling ecosystem within their layers. The natural leaf layer is “critically important habitat for literally thousands of different wildlife species,” explains David Mizejewski, a naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation. Simply leaving the leaves in your yard can help support this web of life right outside your door.

Birds, box turtles, salamanders, toads, frogs, and scores of beloved invertebrates such as fireflies, bees, butterflies, and moths, all rely on leaf litter for shelter. Leaf litter is especially important for supporting pollinators, many of which are facing steep declines from habitat loss.

“Leaving the leaves is investing in the future generation of pollinators,” says Clay Bolt, manager of pollinator conservation and communication at the World Wildlife Fund-US. Solitary bees, bumble bees, moths, and butterflies—whether as eggs, pupae, or adults—often use the leaf layer for warmth and protection during the cold winter months.

While planting native flowers is a popular way to support pollinators, Bolt emphasizes that it’s important for homeowners to realize that while they’ve invested in these beneficial insects throughout the summer, leaving the leaves is the final step to ensure that they survive until spring. 

Moths also play an important role in feeding birds. “Our backyard birds rely on a diet of insects, mostly moth caterpillars, to feed their babies,” says Mizejewski. By leaving your leaves, you’re not only helping pollinator populations, but you’re also ensuring birds have the food they need. If you love seeing birds around your yard, leaving the leaves can make a big difference.

Leaves are Nature's Fertilizer and Mulch

Leaving the leaves in your yard is also beneficial for your plants, explains Matt Jones, a horticulture extension agent at North Carolina State University. He points out that "leaf litter will improve the soil structure for us,” and as it breaks down, it also releases essential nutrients back into the soil. And similar to other types of mulch, natural leaf mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, which is particularly beneficial during dry spells. But by using leaves instead of store-bought mulch, you’ll save money while enjoying all these benefits.

It Helps Fight Climate Change

Leaving the leaves also helps reduce pollution and combat climate change. When leaves are sent to landfills, they decompose without oxygen, producing methane—a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, Mizejewski explains. Landfills are a major source of methane emissions, and much of that comes from organic yard waste like leaves, he says. So, by keeping the leaves in your yard, you’re cutting down on methane production and reducing your carbon footprint. Plus, leaving the leaves reduces your need for gas-powered leaf blowers, further lowering air pollution and fossil fuel consumption.

Tips for Leaving the Leaves

The following tips will help you embrace the “Leave the Leaves” movement while still keeping your yard tidy and attractive.

Rake Leaves Into Your Garden Beds

Instead of letting a thick layer of leaves cover your lawn (which may suffocate it), rake them into flower beds or around trees at a depth of 3-5 inches, says Mizejewski. You can even make it look more intentional by creating clean edges around your garden beds, suggests Bolt​. The result? A well-kept appearance with all the benefits of leaving the leaves.

Add a Sign

Worried about what the neighbors will think? A small sign that explains that you’re leaving the leaves can help, says Jones. When people understand that you’re supporting wildlife, they’re much more likely to appreciate your efforts.

Mulch or Compost the Extras

If you have too many leaves in your lawn that you cannot relocate to garden beds, try running a mower over them. This chops the leaves into small pieces, which break down faster and naturally fertilize your lawn without smothering it​. You could also compost the leaves, which creates a fantastic, nutrient-rich material that you can later use in your garden. While mulched or composted leaves won’t benefit wildlife as much, you’re at least keeping the leaves out of the landfill, says Mizejewski.

Shrink Your Lawn

One way to boost your yard’s ecological value is by reducing the size of your lawn, especially in areas where grass struggles to grow. Instead of trying to grow lawn in shady areas, such as under large trees, let leaves reside there to create wildlife habitat, suggests Jones.

The more we mimic nature, the better we support the ecosystem. So this fall, consider leaving the leaves in your yard, and when spring arrives, hold off on yard cleanup to give overwintering wildlife time to emerge. By embracing these small, simple changes, you’re helping create a healthier, more vibrant world right outside your door.