Six reasons to NOT clean up the garden this fall

To that end, I offer you these six important reasons NOT to clean up the garden in the fall.

The Native Bees: Many of North America's 3500-plus species of native bees need a place to spend the winter that's protected from cold and predators. ...
The Butterflies: ...
The Ladybugs: ...
The Birds: ...
The Predatory Insects: ...
The People:

Is fall clean up necessary?
When should I clean my garden in the fall?
Should you remove leaves from flower beds in fall?
What is fall cleanup?
What happens if you don't clean up leaves?
Where do leaves go when they fall?
How do you do a fall clean up garden?
When should I start cleaning my garden in the spring?
How do you clean up a messy garden?
Is it OK to mow leaves instead of raking?
How long does it take leaves to decompose?
Can you put too many leaves in your garden?

Is fall clean up necessary?

In addition spores found on leaves can infect your soil and re-infect trees and shrubs year after year. A clean lawn area is essential to attain the maximum benefits from other important Fall services such as lawn fertilization, liming, tick control and core-aeration as well.

When should I clean my garden in the fall?

Once annual plants begin to brown and die, you can start cleaning the garden for the autumn. Preparing a vegetable garden for winter will help your garden stay healthy from year to year.

Should you remove leaves from flower beds in fall?

Yes, leaving fallen leaves to decompose does return valuable nutrients to the soil, provides habitat for lots of important and valuable insect species over winter, and acts as a natural mulch.

What is fall cleanup?

Some of the services your fall clean-up could involve may include: Raking up leaves and composting them. Updating Seasonal flowers. ... Mulching with leaves / grass clippings.

What happens if you don't clean up leaves?

Fungus. One possible unfortunate side effect of not raking the leaves on your lawn is fungus. One of the most common causes of lawn fungal disease is humid weather conditions and cool temperatures, so the fall has optimal conditions for fungus growth.

Where do leaves go when they fall?

When leaves fall to the ground, they eventually break down and provide nutrients for the soil, helping prepare for more plants to grow in the spring and also create a layer that helps the ground absorb water.

How do you do a fall clean up garden?

Gather herbs, seed heads, and flowers for drying. Leave some flowers for the birds, but get a headstart on your garden clean-up by cutting back plants like hydrangea and yarrow and bringing them indoors, for some garden memories. Take cuttings now, before a frost turns your plants to mush.

When should I start cleaning my garden in the spring?

If you're a serious gardener, you'll be out in your garden the first warm second of spring. While there is no harm in cleaning up fallen branches and debris, wait until the soil is no longer wet enough to form a ball in your hand before walking on it and compacting it. But don't wait too long to start your clean up.

How do you clean up a messy garden?

Basic Tips on How to Clear up an Overgrown Garden

Work smart, not hard. This can mean several things. ...
Buy the proper equipment. ...
Don't be superficial. ...
Pick up all the rubbish first. ...
Mow your lawn. ...
Take care of your patio. ...
Make Compost out of the Weeds. ...
Start with a Quick Scan.

Is it OK to mow leaves instead of raking?

You can skip raking completely by mowing over leaves and chopping them into small pieces. If you plan to compost leaves, chopping them first speeds up decomposition. Use a grass catcher to gather leaves as you mow over them. You also can allow leaf pieces to decompose in place on the lawn.

How long does it take leaves to decompose?

For leaves to decompose naturally it takes 6 to 12 months, if left somewhere in the woods or anywhere where you don't keep providing good environment for it's decomposition.

Can you put too many leaves in your garden?

Decomposition Tips and Considerations

Turning leaves into soil for your garden provides important nutritional benefits, but adding too many leaves in garden soil may a produce nitrogen depletion in the soil as they decompose.