Across Pennsylvania, a growing number of municipalities are encouraging residents to promote a healthier environment by not raking and disposing of leaves.  Instead, municipalities are promoting alternatives like mulching and on-site composting. The goal of more sustainable, eco-friendly management of yard leaves is to promote a healthier environment.

Why municipalities are encouraging leaving the leaves in your yard:

Natural fertilizer and soil health

Leaves contain nutrients that are vital for enriching soil. Allowing them to decompose naturally, or mulching them, acts as a free, organic fertilizer, improving soil structure, moisture retention, and plant health.

Reduced waste

Yard trimmings make up a significant portion of municipal solid waste that can end up in landfills. When leaves are left to rot in oxygen-poor landfills, they produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Reduced runoff

A layer of leaves on the ground can absorb rain and release moisture into the soil gradually. This helps reduce stormwater runoff, preventing water pollution in local streams and rivers.

Habitat for wildlife

Decomposing leaves provide essential winter cover and nesting material for many beneficial insects, such as moths and bumblebees. This leaf litter also creates a habitat and food source for amphibians, turtles, and birds.

Lower costs and emissions

Trucking and processing collected leaves consumes resources and produces emissions. By managing leaves on-site, residents can reduce the need for municipal collection services and save taxpayers money.

Best practices for managing leaves without raking

To avoid raking while keeping your property tidy and healthy, Pennsylvania municipalities and conservation groups often recommend these methods:

Mulch-mowing

The simplest option for managing a light to moderate layer of leaves is to mow them with a mulching lawn mower. This chops the leaves into fine pieces that will decompose and fertilize your lawn. You should mow when leaves are dry to avoid clumps.

Compost leaves

Leaves are an excellent source of “brown” material for a compost pile. You can shred them with a mower and add them to a compost bin with “green” materials like grass clippings and kitchen scraps.

Create leaf mold

A simple alternative to composting is to pile leaves in an out-of-the-way spot in your yard. As the pile breaks down over time, it will produce leaf mold, which is a nutrient-rich mulch for gardens and landscaping beds.

Use leaves as mulch

For garden beds, you can shred leaves and spread them as mulch to suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture.

Selective clearing

You can compromise by clearing leaves from high-traffic areas like sidewalks and driveways, while leaving them in garden beds, around trees, or along the edges of your property.