Leave the leaves
Leaf litter provides essential nutrients for soil, an important habitat for insects as winter approaches, and food for birds. This fall, leave your leaves!
This fall, Leave the leaves
What looks like yard waste is actually next spring's soil, this winter's insect shelter, and a season's worth of bird food — all falling into place for free.
Feed the soil
As leaves break down, they return nutrients to the ground and help the soil hold moisture — nature's own fertilizer, delivered on schedule every autumn.
Shelter the insects
Fireflies, butterflies, and countless other insects spend the winter tucked into leaf litter. Clear the leaves, and you clear their only shelter.
Feed the birds
Those overwintering insects are a major food source for birds — and the insects also help pollinate plants and keep pests in check come spring.
Pick what fits your yard.
There's no single right way to do this — choose based on how much lawn you have and how it's used.
Whatever you choose, avoid bagging leaves.
Depending on your location, bagged leaves may also be taking up unnecessary landfill space and contribute to methane emissions as they break down without oxygen.
Always leave the leaves at least 5 feet from your foundation and 30 feet where wildfires are a risk.
Let them lie where they fall
The simplest option, and often the best one. Just don't let a thick layer smother the grass — a thin covering is fine, but rake or mow if it gets deep.
Shift them to beds, shrubs, and trees
Spread whole leaves 3–5 inches deep around shrubs, trees, and garden beds — just keep them off plant crowns and away from tree trunks and storm drains. A rake or electric blower keeps noise and pollution down.
Turn them into mulch, or add them to a compost pile
Run a mower over them for a fine, 1–2 inch mulch layer that feeds the lawn, or add whole leaves to a compost pile. No compost pile? A neighbor with a garden will usually take them.
Hide them
Place leaves in hidden parts of your yard such as under shrubs!
DId you know
Leaving the leaves saves Brevard and other communities money in the form of labor and transportation costs!
Those taking the pledge will be given a free yard sign to proclaim your pledge to the environment!
Signs will be given on a first come, first serve basis and while supplies last
The leave the Leaves Campaign is brought to you by:
