The crisp air and ripe pumpkins can only mean one thing, fall is officially here in Minnesota. 

With that, comes the annual chore that is usually dreaded by most landowners with trees – raking.  If raking is one of those activities that strikes fear in your eyes, then do I have good news for you! 

“Leave the leaves” is a campaign started by the Xerces Society, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to invertebrate conservation.  According to Xerces, leaving your leaves over winter is one of the most valuable things you can do for pollinators as they need the leaves for winter cover. 

Many pollinator species like butterflies, moths and bees rely on the leaf litter to survive through the harsh Minnesota winters.  Those pollinators are essential to not only our food production system but also the food web; most songbirds raise their young exclusively on caterpillars.  These little critters are vital to our ecosystem and must be protected.  Leaving your leaves on your lawn or garden is just one small part we can play in their survival. 

Not only is it one task you can easily cross off the to-do list, but it also serves as natural mulch to gardens. Research has shown that lawns benefit from a thin covering of leaves, adding essential nutrients to the soil all while suppressing unwanted weeds. 

The one exception to the “leave the leaves” rule is if your leaves fall into the street with a curb and gutter system.  To help prevent excess nutrients from entering our waterways keep leaves out of the street and away from storm drains. Contact the Sherburne SWCD office for more information at 763-220-3434.