Reconsider Raking Your Leaves
Photo from Shannon O’Dwyer
Spencer Margolis
La Niña and El Niño have caused warmer winds to collide with cooler winds in places like the midwest, causing a warmer, wetter autumn. What that looks like in Southeast Wisconsin is a delayed autumn, longer winter, and predictably, no spring.
Normally by early November, the leaves have already reached their peak change in colors. In fact, this process is normally over by mid-October.
However, some changes in the leaf colors have been noticeable. Also, some leaves are falling, which means that most families, by tradition, will probably begin raking soon.
However, the practice of raking leaves is now seen as taboo—and for good reason.
Reason no. 1: Affecting Climate Change
Leaves are organic material which means they decompose one way or another after they fall. Once organic material decomposes, it produces methane, which is released into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas (a gas causing increased temperatures and affecting other aspects of the atmosphere).
There is a way to combat this, though, and it’s by leaving the leaves on the ground after they fall. Leaves produce natural insulation to the grass and allow for better preservation of plants during the winter. Also, one shouldn’t dispose of the leaves either because, when taken to a landfill, they either decompose quicker or are burned, releasing even more methane into the air.
Reason no. 2: Protection to Wildlife
Along with providing insulation to plant life during the winter, leaves can also provide a source of protection and food for small animals that are also beneficial to the environment. Many small animals will live under the leaves during the late fall while also making a more sustainable shelter that will last the entirety of the winter.
Many of these animals such as insects, amphibians, some species of turtles, earthworms, and chipmunks are necessary to provide for the earth. Additionally, many endangered species take shelter in the foliage like the Luna moth. Unfortunately, these creatures have declined in number in the past few decades due to habitat loss, pollution, and improper care of leaves.
Reason no. 3: Improving Soil Health
In addition to insulating grass roots for the coming spring, fallen foliage is also beneficial for the health of soil. When leaves decompose on the ground, they provide extra moisture for the soil that can’t be produced by outside factors during the cold, dry winters.
The increase in moisture benefits a whole variety of aspects in regards to soil health. As stated previously, it provides a hospitable environment for earthworms, but it also means that, in the springtime, crops in nearby farms and gardens will benefit from healthy soil around.
Additionally, moist soil can help to prevent erosion in certain areas such as on hills, in valleys, or near other inorganic substances like sand, rock, and concrete. It will also prevent farms from turning dry and is a good backup measure in case of drought (which is becoming more prevalent with climate change).
In conclusion, take the time this year to inform your family and friends about the benefits of not raking your leaves. It might benefit you and everyone else down the road. At the minimum, if you feel like raking your leaves, just move them to a corner of your yard instead of taking them to the landfill.
