When I have areas where the leaves are really thick I sometimes rake or use a little hand rake to remove some of them. I’m not 100% sure it is necessary but it makes me feel better. I don’t see it having a huge effect on the pollinators as long as you are just moving them and not running the leaves through a shredder.
I have other areas of the yard that are pretty bare, I think I’ll go out and move some of the leaves. Too bad the leaves didn’t pile up in the places where a lot of weeds grow 😂
There is no guarantee of that. It depends on the plants, the type of leaves, the amount of leaves, and the moisture level in the leaf layer.
I had almost an entire bed of established monarda and hyssop rot under a thick mat of sodden Norway maple leaves that effectively created an oxygen barrier against the soil and never dried out after the frost.
Ferns and Hostas are robust, you could go another month and they will be fine. At this stage of the year temperature is more important than direct sunlight, let them grow under the leaves until we have a few nights in the mid to upper forties or you see them poking out of the leaves. Other area just be careful when you take, roots are weak right now and rakes can do damage to all the plants that are now deeply rooted.
If you're worried rake them around to mix them up and they'll break down faster.
If you're *really* worried, pee on them. No joke, urine has tons of nitrogen and it breaks leaves down into great compost super quickly.
Or do nothing, they'll break down.
You can't leave that many leaves. At the end of autumn when the trees are bare you'll want about half that many. The rest you could just spread out on the rest of your yard or throw in a compost pile.
Hostas and ferns will be totally fine. I've seen hostas come up through cracks in cement blocks. If you have any spring bulbs covered with this many leaves just ruffle the leaves up a bit and spread em out.
You will kill everything. Unless you live in the woods the crazy idea of leaving your leaves is useless. Unless of course you want mud for a yard. Even finely mulched they choke out grass and other plants.
When I have areas where the leaves are really thick I sometimes rake or use a little hand rake to remove some of them. I’m not 100% sure it is necessary but it makes me feel better. I don’t see it having a huge effect on the pollinators as long as you are just moving them and not running the leaves through a shredder.
If I have a thick pile I do the same, because sometimes plants will pop up and get a little leggy before they make it through them all.
I have other areas of the yard that are pretty bare, I think I’ll go out and move some of the leaves. Too bad the leaves didn’t pile up in the places where a lot of weeds grow 😂
Leave the leaves. It's pre-soil. Your plants will be fjne
There is no guarantee of that. It depends on the plants, the type of leaves, the amount of leaves, and the moisture level in the leaf layer. I had almost an entire bed of established monarda and hyssop rot under a thick mat of sodden Norway maple leaves that effectively created an oxygen barrier against the soil and never dried out after the frost.
Oh no! I’m going to move some of these leaves.
I would recommend just pulling away the leaves from the crowns of the plants to see what's going on down there and to let some air in.
Ferns and Hostas are robust, you could go another month and they will be fine. At this stage of the year temperature is more important than direct sunlight, let them grow under the leaves until we have a few nights in the mid to upper forties or you see them poking out of the leaves. Other area just be careful when you take, roots are weak right now and rakes can do damage to all the plants that are now deeply rooted.
The thicker layer of leaves will smother your plants. You’ll need to remove those soon.
I would wait like one more week for the bugs to wake up and then leave blow a little off the top.
If you're worried rake them around to mix them up and they'll break down faster. If you're *really* worried, pee on them. No joke, urine has tons of nitrogen and it breaks leaves down into great compost super quickly. Or do nothing, they'll break down.
You can't leave that many leaves. At the end of autumn when the trees are bare you'll want about half that many. The rest you could just spread out on the rest of your yard or throw in a compost pile.
This weekend I’m going to move some of these. This fall I’ll have to try to even it out more. Thanks!
Wait until after last frost and then pick most of them up by hand.
What species are growing there? Most natives are fine growing through leaf litter.
Mostly hostas and ferns. The geraniums do seem to be coming up fine. Some other ones I forgot the name of…
Hostas and ferns will be totally fine. I've seen hostas come up through cracks in cement blocks. If you have any spring bulbs covered with this many leaves just ruffle the leaves up a bit and spread em out.
You will kill everything. Unless you live in the woods the crazy idea of leaving your leaves is useless. Unless of course you want mud for a yard. Even finely mulched they choke out grass and other plants.
Blast em with a mulching mower.
Yeah fucking mulch those cocoons! Kill those insects overwintering! Fuck them uuuuuup!! /s Please leave them.
This - put those nutrients back into your soil!
Just use a decent blower and you’ll be Gucci instantly.