leaves – Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Durham County

By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

(Left to right) The October surprise, or should we say November surprise, of the ACG is the New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae). Do you still have pumpkins and gourds hanging around through Thanksgiving? Each year an estimated 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins and gourds end up in landfills. Consider adding them to your compost or find a local participating municipality accepting them for donation. See below for more on Earth-friendly ways to deal with your organic decorations post-holiday.¹ (Image credit: Dan Mullem CC BY-NC-ND 2.0; Melinda Heigel)

How ‘bout that October? Except for precipitation of any sort, there was something for almost everyone—a little hot, a little cool, and some stereotypical October Piedmont North Carolina, NC State Fair weather. There haven’t been very many State Fairs in my memory without some honest to goodness rain. We’ve been blessed unless, of course, you were trying to grow plants which is sort of what we’re all about here. So, mixed blessings? I mean, as fantastic as this area is, it still ain’t Camelot, Guinevere.

(Left to right) The ACG is still providing blooms this November. The drought-resistant African marigolds prove their hardiness. When planting for fall color, you can count on the New England aster and pink muhly grass to provide late-season interest. (Image credit: Gary Crispell; Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

The Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG) is too stubborn to give in to the crazy droughty up and down weather. There are some tough characters out there. The toughest of which must be the gallardia (G. pulchella). It doesn’t know quit. The African marigold (Tagetes erecta) and the zinnias (Z. elegans) are also heat and drought tolerant along with the false vervain (Glandularia bipinnatatifida). (Somebody stayed up late naming that one!)

A delightful surprise this year is a lovely New England aster (Symphotrichum novae-angliae). It isn’t as erect as I might be as it was crowded in amongst some other things, and I didn’t become aware of its existence until recently. Next year. Most of the hardy ageratum (Conoclinium coelestinum) have succumbed to the drought and the shorter days. There are a couple of late-to-the-party purple cone flowers (Echinacea purpurea) and a stray black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). The muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) are looking a little thin and wispy, but I attribute that to it being the first year in the ground for them. Enough about my garden, let’s talk about what we can do in yours in November.

Lawn Care

Well, if your lawn has survived “No Moisture November” the main task for November is keeping it relatively leaf free. Whatever your remove from the lawn should be composted or used as mulch. The leaves do not belong in the landfill (or the ditch out front, for that matter). Cool season lawns (tall fescue, bluegrass, perennial rye) will still need mowing at the 3½” to 4” height.

The leaf admonishment pertains here, also. If you renovated/overseeded your lawn this fall it will need watering until the drought is done with us. 1” per week minimum applied in two ½” applications is necessary to keep it going.

Fertilizing

Not this month. If your (FREE until the end of November here in NC) SOIL TEST indicates a need to raise the pH, apply the appropriate the proper amount of lime and incorporate it into the soil if possible. Lime doesn’t readily move through the soil and incorporating the lime gets to the roots where it is needed.

Planting: Yes, “Fall is for Planting”

Trees, shrubs, and ground covers planted now will have all winter and early spring to put down roots in order to better withstand next year’s drought periods. (They’re coming. Trust me.) Spring flowering bulbs can still be planted until the end of the month. Year-old asparagus crowns can be transplanted now.

Pruning

So, for years (decades, centuries?) pruning all the perennials back as the blossoms faded (Grandma kept a tidy garden!) has been gardening gospel. Well, that good news is now obsolete news. It seems that solitary native bees and other pollinators lay their eggs on/in and/or nest in those stems for the winter. So, cutting them is detrimental to the pollinator population. Ergo, don’t do it anymore (unless the HOA is going to place a lien on your house for leaving them unpruned). (I don’t suppose the “It’s winter interest”, argument will get you anywhere.) Dead or diseased wood can be removed from trees and shrubs. Make any cuts at the branch collar (flared end) to promote healing of the wound.

Spraying

Any pests still hanging around can be treated with an application of a horticultural oil that will smother adults, eggs, and all phases in between.

Other Fun-filled and/or Fantastic Fall Frolics

Take a leaf hike through somebody’s neighborhood or a state or city park. There is a plethora of opportunities nearby.

Invite friends and neighbors over for an evening around the fire pit. S’mores, hot
chocolate, cider, and donuts are about mandatory. Anything else is optional.

Do anything else you can think of to get yourself outdoors to enjoy these last user-friendly days of 2024.

(Image credit: Pixabay)

May you have Thanksgiving bountiful enough to share.

Notes

1–Eco-friendly ways to dispose of pumpkins and gourds after the holidays: https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2021-10-08-dealing-pumpkins-after-halloween-debunking-social-media-advice

Resources and Additional Information

Learn more from the Xerces Society about the importance of an untidy fall garden to pollinators https://xerces.org/blog/put-down-those-pruners-pollinators-need-your-garden-garbage
More on late-blooming perennials and spring-flowering bulbs https://wayne.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/09/late-blooming-perennials/; https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/spring-flowering-bulbs/
Importance of leaving fall leaves for wildlife and soil health on our blog https://wp.me/p2nIr1-5bS
UGA Extension’s “one-stop shop” for research-based articles on fall gardening topics https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=AP105&title=fall-gardening-a-collection-of-information-and-resources

Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-5gg

By Marcia Kirinus, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SMvolunteer of Durham County

Did you know that the National Wildlife Federation has designated October as Leave the Leaves Month? This initiative encourages people to rethink traditional fall yard clean-up by leaving fallen leaves in place—or at least on your property—instead of bagging them up and sending them to the landfill

Traditional fall clean-up often involves raking or blowing leaves, bagging them, and setting them out on the curb. Then we head over to the big box store to buy mulch and fertilizer to replace what nature is already providing. This process is time consuming, resource draining, and unnecessary. Leaves are not trash. We are missing an opportunity.

Instead, let nature do the hard work — your garden will thank you. The thing that is most natural to do — the thing that happens in nature — is to let your leaves lie where they fall. If you have extra leaves, bag them and offer them to neighbors or local gardeners who can make good use of them.

Beyond convenience, there are significant benefits to leaving the leaves. First and foremost, they nourish the soil. As leaves decompose, they enrich the soil with nutrients, promoting healthier, richer soils. Consider them free mulch and fertilizer. Second, leaves insulate the soil, protecting it from temperature fluctuations. They also help retain moisture. Finally, leaves make incredibly important habitats for wildlife. Have you noticed a decline in lightning bugs? Most of their life cycle is spent under leaf debris. By keeping your leaves in place you can boost wildlife habitats, enrich your soil, and even help with global environmental challenges.

Left: Adult Firefly. Right: Larvae of Firefly . Most fireflies are habitat specialists. They rely on undisturbed leaf litter for one year or more to complete their lifecycles. These insects spend most of their lives as larvae preying on earthworms and other animals in the soil or leaf litter. If that habitat is disrupted during their youth, populations can be extinguished. (Image credit M. Bertone, NCSU Entomology.)

Last year’s oak leaves slowly decomposing with the help of small pinwheel mushrooms (Marasmius rotula). Image credit: Jean Epiphan

Soil Enrichment: The Cornerstone of Healthy Gardens

Soils rich in organic matter absorb and retain water better, turning a soggy lawn into a sponge-like garden bed. In as little as two years, you can turn those wet areas into walkable spaces. It’s not a miracle as building soils naturally is a slow process, but it’s a start and it’s free.

Healthy soil, enriched by decomposed leaves, supports deep-rooted plants, reduces watering needs, and improves plant resilience.

Wildlife Benefits: From Moths to Bumblebees

Leaves provide shelter for many species, including fireflies, butterflies, Moths and endangered bumblebees. Caterpillars overwinter in leaf litter, which also sustains backyard birds in spring. By leaving leaves on the ground, you’re creating essential habitats for these creatures, helping maintain biodiversity and supporting the larger food chain, from insects to birds. Caterpillars, which overwinter in the leaf litter, are a primary food source for 96% of backyard birds during the spring.

From Left to Right: Luna moth pupae, ( Actias luna ), are often difficult to see as they are a chestnut brown and overwinter in leaf litter. In the spring it will emerge as a soft green, 3 to 4.5 inch moth. All life stages provide food for predators. (Image credit: Donald W. Hall, UF) Leaf litter is the ideal Earthworm habitat. Earthworms provide beneficial castings which are building blocks to healthy soil. (Image credit: M. Bertone, NCSU) Woolly bear (Pyrrharctia isabella) construct shelters like this one made from pine needles to protect themselves from the winter elements. They also commonly use leaf litter and other yard debris. (Image credit: batwrangler, flickr. with permission)

Small Acts, Big Impact: Helping with Global Change

By making small changes in how we manage our yards, we can create big environmental benefits—both locally and globally. Leaving the leaves isn’t just about benefiting your yard—it’s about making a difference on a global scale. Encouraging wildlife and helping to maintain a balance in the food chain is one way you are helping. By skipping the blower and rake, you also reduce fossil fuel consumption, lowering your carbon footprint. Additionally, leaves that are sent to landfills contribute to methane emissions as they decompose without oxygen. Composting them in your yard helps reduce these emissions.

If you still want to move your leaves around the yard, consider using a rake instead of a blower. Rakes are quieter, healthier for you, and don’t rely on fossil fuels. They also give you more control, allowing you to gently move the leaves without disturbing the soil or nearby wildlife. My neighbor for 17 years told me that he can rake faster than he can blow his leaves. I was dubious. At the time, my clean-up tool was a blower. However, I hated the noise and smell so I took his words as a challenge. I pulled out the rake and never looked back. I can rake faster, and with a lighter touch. I can listen to the birds and I feel stronger, fitter for doing so.

I also reduced my turfgrass lawn significantly so I can leave the leaves in place. I converted it into valuable wildlife habitat by planting native ferns and flowers. Lawns require water, fertilizer, and herbicides, not to mention mowing, which creates noise and uses fossil fuels. And lawns are wildlife dead zones. However, I still need a place to play fetch with Moira, so a small patch of “meadow” remains. I say meadow because it is green – mostly clover.

Making the most of your leaves

Here are a few simple strategies to keep them working for you. You don’t have to leave all the leaves exactly where they fall.

On Lawns: A thick layer of leaves can suffocate your lawn. Instead, run a mower over the leaves to chop them into smaller pieces. A thin layer (1–2 inches) of shredded leaves can actually nourish the grass over the winter, breaking down over time to feed the soil.
Flower or Vegetable Beds: Spread whole leaves in flower beds or vegetable gardens. They act as mulch, suppressing weeds and adding organic matter as they decompose, improving soil structure and fertility. For most garden beds, a leaf layer of 3–5 inches deep is ideal. Avoid piling leaves directly on top of plants; instead, place them around the plants, covering any exposed soil. This will suppress weeds, preserve soil moisture, and return nutrients to the roots as the leaves decompose.
Composting: Leaves are perfect for composting—rich in carbon and ideal for building fertile soil. Consider adding them to your compost pile or creating a leaf mold. If the wind blows leaves into unwanted areas, let nature guide them into natural piles, and then redistribute the leaves to your garden beds or around trees.

From left to right: Mower cutting leaves into small pieces instead of removing them (Image credit: Pixaby);. Moving whole leaves to help create paths by suppressing weeds (Image credit: Justin Butts). Composting excessive leaves (Image credit: Christy Bredenkamp, NC Extension Director, Moore County).

Conclusion: A Small Change with a Big Impact

With just a few thoughtful changes, as gardeners and homeowners, we have the power to make a positive impact on the environment by simply rethinking how we take care of our little piece of earth outside of our back door. This October, join the movement and Leave the Leaves—because every leaf left behind makes a difference.