This is the time of year when leaves are falling and many homeowners head outside for a backyard clean-up. Instead of sending leaves, branches, and last season’s plants to the landfill, consider putting these items to use as mulch, compost, and wildlife habitat in your yard.
Raking leaves under shrubs and into garden beds will provide a protective layer of mulch around plants, as well as an area for birds and small animals to forage for food. You can also shred leaves with your lawnmower and add them to a compost pile. If you are trimming branches or cleaning up fallen debris, consider building a small brush pile in your yard to provide shelter for birds and other wildlife as weather cools. You may also want to hold-off on removing any seed-bearing plants and grasses until spring - these plants can serve as a food source for birds throughout winter. Please remember to keep your yard wastes out of the street and storm drain, where they can be carried into local waters during the next rain, putting water quality at risk.
(Source: Audubon at Home. 2004. Monthly Tips and Reminders for Your Healthy Yard. www.audubon.org)
No comments:
Post a Comment