{"id":1115,"date":"2012-10-23T08:39:03","date_gmt":"2012-10-23T12:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/blogs\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=1115"},"modified":"2018-10-17T14:36:56","modified_gmt":"2018-10-17T18:36:56","slug":"before-you-pick-up-that-rake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/before-you-pick-up-that-rake\/","title":{"rendered":"Before You Pick Up That Rake"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Oh, leaves. There\u2019s so much we love about you. The first sight of your flowers in the spring; the sound you make when you blow in the breeze during summer; your brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange come fall. And then you drop to the ground and become another thing on our to-do list.<\/p>\n

If this sounds familiar, don\u2019t fret\u2014we can help. Before you break out the rake, check out our top 5 uses for fall leaves.<\/p>\n

Leave Them Be<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why: Leaves act as a home for many different types of beneficial insects (ground and rove beetles, spiders, caterpillars), as well as amphibians such as wood frogs. A layer of leaves also serves as a root protection for trees and shrubs by keeping in moisture and moderating the temperature of the soil. And if that\u2019s not reason enough, you will also attract more birds, which rely on leaves for shelter, nesting material, and water.<\/p>\n

How:\u00a0Leave behind a thin layer of leaves in areas that people don\u2019t walk on (you wouldn\u2019t want anyone slipping). If you\u2019re worried about your grass being smothered, chop the leaves with a lawn mower.<\/p>\n

Good to know: Researchers from Michigan State University have found that chopped leaves left on lawns may actually help suppress dandelions.<\/p>\n

Make Mulch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why:\u00a0A less expensive and taxing option to raking, bagging, and disposing, leaf mulch mimics a natural forest ecosystem, making for excellent nutrient recycling.<\/p>\n

How: When the leaves begin to fall, mow your lawn as you normally would. This will shred the leaves, making them decompose faster and a bit easier to pack around the bases of plants. In vegetable and perennial gardens, you can keep the leaves whole, and then turn them over come spring. Or, if you like, you could rake them and put them in a shredder.<\/p>\n

Good to know:\u00a0Songbirds love leaf mulch since it harbors lots of nutritious bugs!<\/p>\n

Compost Them<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why:\u00a0Any gardener can extol the merits of compost. Good compost requires a mix of high nitrogen (grass clippings, food waste) and high carbon components. The best bet for the latter? Fallen leaves.<\/p>\n

How:\u00a0Scoop them up whole and add them to your compost pile. Not only do they add bulk but leaves make for good aeration. Don\u2019t have a compost pile yet? Leaves are a great way to get started. To speed up the decomposing process, you can shred them a little.<\/p>\n

Good to know: Leaves that have been left on the ground for awhile bring useful decomposing microorganisms to the compost pile. A good excuse to put off the yard work!<\/p>\n

Have Fun With Them<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why: There\u2019s nothing more thrilling than jumping into a big pile of leaves (and that goes for both kids and adults).\u00a0Note:<\/em>\u00a0Be aware of ticks. Wear light colored clothes and check yourself for ticks after playing outside.<\/p>\n

How:\u00a0In addition to a good old-fashioned leaf pile, you can make a scarecrow, add leaves to vases or window boxes, preserve brightly colored fallen leaves, or make leaf rubbings.<\/p>\n

Good to know: Some people believe it\u2019s good luck to catch a falling leaf before it touches the ground. Slap the lucky leaf against your forehead, turn around in three complete circles, and then make a wish!<\/p>\n

Learn More About Them<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why:\u00a0Think a leaf is simply just a leaf? Think again. There are compound and simple leaves, broad leaves and needle leaves, leafstalks, leaf teeth, and leaf veins. By learning more about the leaves you see every day, you will gain more appreciation for the natural world around you.<\/p>\n

How:\u00a0Pick up one of the countless books written on the subject. A few of our favorites, which can be found at the\u00a0Mass Audubon Shop<\/a>\u00a0at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, include:\u00a0The Sibley Guide to Trees<\/a>, National Geographic Kids Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Trees<\/a>, and Trees of Eastern North America<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Good to know:\u00a0While we now know science is behind leaves changing color, countless legends have been linked to this fall phenomenon, including Native American lore that said when the Great Bear in the sky was killed, the bear\u2019s blood fell on the forests, turning some of the leaves red.<\/p>\n

Photo via iStockPhoto<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Oh, leaves. There\u2019s so much we love about you. The first sight of your flowers in the spring; the sound you make when you blow in the breeze during summer; your brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange come fall. And then you drop to the ground and become another thing on our to-do list. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[22,46,63],"class_list":["post-1115","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nature-notes","tag-autumn","tag-fall","tag-leaves"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-hZ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2909,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/seeing-spots\/","url_meta":{"origin":1115,"position":0},"title":"Seeing Spots?","author":"Stu","date":"November 12, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Have you noticed anything strange while raking leaves this fall? If you look closely at some of your maple leaves you might notice a different color than the usual yellows and reds. Some maple leaves have black spots on them, as if they\u2019ve been speckled with tar. Fear not, tar\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/11\/mapleleaffungus-1024x768.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11729,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/a-guide-to-fall-foliage\/","url_meta":{"origin":1115,"position":1},"title":"A Guide to Fall Foliage","author":"Hillary T.","date":"October 16, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"All across Massachusetts, the landscape is lighting up with the brilliant colors of fall.\u00a0Get the most of the season from great fall hikes to photography tips. Top 10 Fall Foliage Hikes The diversity of plant species across Mass Audubon\u2019s wildlife sanctuaries means you can experience the radiance of fall foliage\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/foliage_750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/foliage_750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/foliage_750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/foliage_750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2593,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/whats-hiding-in-your-leaf-pile\/","url_meta":{"origin":1115,"position":2},"title":"What’s Hiding in Your Leaf Pile?","author":"Kristin S.","date":"October 9, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Autumn leaf piles mean different things to different people.\u00a0If you\u2019re a child, leaf piles invite jumping and hiding and all sorts of fun. To many adults, all of those autumn leaves must be raked, blown, piled, chopped, dragged, or somehow transported to another place, anywhere that is not our lawn.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Giant Leopard Cat - Nov 2012(small) (2)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/07\/Giant-Leopard-Cat-Nov-2012small-2-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14835,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/leave-the-leaves\/","url_meta":{"origin":1115,"position":3},"title":"Leave the Leaves","author":"Ryan D.","date":"November 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Fall Leaves \u00a9 Ken Conway Fall is a magical time in New England as oaks, maples, and aspens reveal their spectacular red, orange, and yellow hues. Before you know it, though, those leaves have fallen to the ground, carpeting lawns and gardens and prodding residents to reluctantly pick up their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Fall Leaves \u00a9 Ken Conway","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/10\/961Ken_Conway12729-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/10\/961Ken_Conway12729-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/10\/961Ken_Conway12729-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/10\/961Ken_Conway12729-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13200,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-take-it-or-leaves-it\/","url_meta":{"origin":1115,"position":4},"title":"Take 5: Take It Or Leave(s) It","author":"Ryan D.","date":"October 7, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Fall foliage is coming in slowly but surely across Massachusetts. Pops of red, orange, and gold pepper the forests and hillsides as nature begins to wind down for the impending winter. To help you enjoy the fall colors, here are five photos from our annual Picture This: Your Great Outdoors\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Red Maple Leaves \u00a9 Renee Sack","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/10\/919Renee_Sack9853.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/10\/919Renee_Sack9853.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/10\/919Renee_Sack9853.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/10\/919Renee_Sack9853.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8753,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-tips-for-attracting-butterflies\/","url_meta":{"origin":1115,"position":5},"title":"5 Tips for Attracting Butterflies","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sure butterflies can be found frolicking in open meadows on warm, breezy summer days, but these exuberant and colorful insects can also be found in your own backyard\u2014if you play your cards right! What does it take to bring the flutter closer to home? 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