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Protect butterflies & moths
Some species spend winter as eggs, caterpillars, or cocoons hidden among leaves.
A healthier yard starts this fall
Leave the leaves.
Make room for life.
That blanket of autumn leaves isn't a mess. It's winter shelter for pollinators, food for soil life, and a gift to your garden.
How to do it right ↓Explore the evidenceSmall action. Big impact.
Your yard is a living ecosystem.
Fallen leaves do important work long after the trees let them go. Here are six reasons to keep some where nature can use them.
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Shelter pollinators
Leaf cover insulates soil where some overwintering bees and other insects shelter.
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Feed healthier soil
Decomposing leaves return organic matter and nutrients to the ground.
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Support backyard birds
Leaf litter hosts invertebrates that become food for birds and other wildlife.
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Retain moisture
Leaves used as mulch in beds help limit evaporation and moderate soil temperatures.
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Welcome natural pest control
Predatory beetles and other helpful insects can use sheltered areas to overwinter.
Let's clear the air
Leaf myths, meet the facts.
You don't have to choose between a healthy lawn and a wildlife-friendly yard. The secret is where—and how many—leaves you leave.
MYTH: “All leaves will kill my grass.”
FACT: A light scattering is generally fine. Thick, wet, matted layers can block light and smother turf, so move excess whole leaves into garden beds.
MYTH: “Leaves are just yard waste.”
FACT: They're natural mulch, organic matter, and habitat for creatures that keep a yard ecosystem functioning.
MYTH: “Leaving leaves means a messy yard.”
FACT: Keep walkways and active lawn areas tidy. Designate leafy beds, tree rings, and wildlife corners.
MYTH: “Shredding is always the best choice.”
FACT: Mulching leaves can help turf, but intact leaves provide better shelter for overwintering insects. Relocate whole leaves where possible.
Your three-step fall plan
Leave smarter, not harder.
01
Keep a light layer on turf
Grass should still be visible. Don't leave heavy, wet mats that cover the lawn.
02
Move the extras, whole
Gently rake excess leaves into flower beds, under shrubs, or around trees—keeping them away from trunks.
03
Let habitat rest
Leave protected leaf areas undisturbed through winter and into late spring to give wildlife time to emerge.
Use judgment around drainage, slippery paths, local rules, and visibly diseased plant material. A wildlife-friendly yard can still be cared for.
Evidence & further reading
Don't just take our word for it.
Explore conservation guidance, research-informed fact sheets, and discussions of field research. These links distinguish practical recommendations from original experimental studies.
↗ Xerces Society — Nesting & Overwintering Habitat (PDF)Research-informed technical guidance on leaf litter, pollinators, soil and lawns.↗ Xerces Society — Leave the Leaves: Winter Habitat ProtectionExamples of species that rely on fallen leaves and advice on balancing lawn health.↗ Xerces Society — Leave the Leaves or Lose the InsectsInterview with entomologist Max Ferlauto about research on leaf removal and insects.↗ Xerces Society — Leave the Leaves for Natural Pest ControlHow leaf litter supports beneficial predators, plus caveats about pests.↗ Xerces Society — Leave the Leaves! (2026)Updated guidance on preserving whole leaves and managing garden beds.
Evidence note: these are credible research-informed resources, including a technical fact sheet and a research interview; they are not all peer-reviewed experimental papers. Leaf cover is beneficial habitat, but dense mats can harm turfgrass.