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Not a fan of raking leaves? Leave them says National Wildlife F

Raking them up and creating a leaf layer for your garden and other plant beds is a good way to get the most out of the leaves.

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Dead leaves, according to Randall Hitchin, a scientist at the University of Washington Arboretum, are home to many beneficial insects.

Landowners, listen up: there’s a new excuse to leave the leaves as they are.

The leaves act as their own ecosystem and so many forms of wildlife depend on them for survival.

The NWF says many species reply on leaves. “It makes it unfriendly for them”.

The National Wildlife Federation recommends that people stop raking their fall leaves, which are important habitats for critters.

“I care about the lifer cycle of all the insects that live in my yard”, said Sarah Moore of the Pacific Science Center’s indoor butterfly garden. “I want to be a habitat”.

They urge you to leave the leaves, or at least a few of them if you are going to rake. A few communities even have a curbside leaf pick-up service. You’ll know you’re done when about half an inch of grass can be seen through the mulched leaf layer.

Wilhite said the key is to shred the leaves and evenly disperse them over your property.

It saves money. You don’t need to pay for yard waste bags.

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Do you rake leaves every fall?

Wildlife Federation Says Don't Rake Your Leaves