5 Benefits of Using Fallen Leaves in Your Garden

One of the best things you can do for wildlife, the environment, and even your wallet is to intentionally use the fallen leaves and other organic matter in your garden. Discover all of the benefits provided by leaving the leaves!

1. It Helps Wildlife

There are so many wildlife species that depend on fallen leaves. From moths, butterflies, and fireflies that often overwinter in the leaf layer to reptiles and birds that use it as a foraging location.

When you use the fallen leaves in your garden, you are providing wildlife with vital habitat that they need to survive!

2. It Benefits Your Soil

You can take advantage of nature’s oldest recycling system when you add fallen leaves to your garden beds. There’s a whole ecosystem of insects, arthropods, fungi, and microorganisms that will break down these leaves into rich fertilizer that replenishes nutrients in your soil. Skip the store bought stuff and let nature do the hard work for you!

3. It Reduces Waste

In one year alone, Americans disposed of over 35 million tons of yard waste, roughly the equivalent of 1.4 billion standard-size yard wastebags! And you might be surprised how much of this ends up in the landfill. 

When you use the fallen leaves in your garden, you’re reducing the amount of waste you produce.

4. It Can Suppress Weeds

Using fallen leaves as mulch in your garden beds can help prevent weeds from growing. A thick enough layer of leaves (we recommend a leaf layer of 3-5 inches) will block the sunlight and prevent weed seeds from growing. Plus, these leaves will eventually decompose and add nutrients back into your soil.

5. It Saves You Time and Money

There are lots of ways that using your fallen leaves benefits your schedule and wallet, from saving you time bagging up leaves and carting them to the curb, to reducing the need for you to buy store bought fertilizer and mulch. 

Discover How to Leave the Leaves

To get the most out of your fallen leaves, make a plan for how you’re going to use them. We recommend moving leaves off of pathways and turfgrass and using them in the following ways:

• As mulch in your garden beds
• Beneath native trees 
• In the compost to make a natural fertilizer

Learn more in our How to Leave the Leaves Tipsheet