Peoria biologist says to leave the leaves alone this fall

PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - Raking leaves is a chore some homeowners dread each fall but based on what a Bradley University biologist said, it might be a chore they can skip.

Professor Anant Deshwal is one homeowner who doesn't rake his leaves this time of year. He said he appreciates the multitude of colors, but there are other advantages that some people overlook because leaves can be a natural fertilizer.

"If we just let the leaves be there, what will happen is bacteria, fungi, and a slew of insects would come in and break down these leaves for us," Dr. Deshwal said. "What that does is it will release all the nutrients into the soil, and we got ourselves free-of-cost natural fertilizers."

Leaves are composed of organic matter, such as calcium, nitrogen, potassium, and magnesium, that help maintain soil aeration and promote vegetation growth, according to Deshwal.

He said he leaves a thick layer of leaf litter in his garden for that reason, with the benefit of knowing his tomatoes and peppers don't have any added chemicals.

Deshwal is also a conservation biologist, so he studies the patterns of living beings, such as bugs and birds, that also benefit from fallen leaves.

"[Leaves] create this microhabitat where the temperature remains regulated, and they help control the moisture. Some animals, like slugs and snails, need moisture to make the slime that helps them move, and these leaves help them do that," Deshwal said.

Leaf litter also serves as a shelter for bee and moth larvae during the colder months. After the winter, Deshwal said birds snack on the insects, leaves, and seeds left behind. He added that natural predators also find habitats under piles of leaves, feeding on nuisance insects like mites and aphids.

Deshwal said the most common argument against leaf litter is yard cleanliness. He said if homeowners are worried about this, they can go over them with a lawnmower. Even though it doesn't provide shelter, it leaves the nutrients.

"Another thing that I think people can do to mitigate the whole aesthetic look is take the leaf litter and put it in a corner out of view," said Deshwal. "Put it on the base of the trees or shrubs so that you continue to gather the benefits from the leaf litter without compromising the aesthetic."

After people rake or blow leaves out of their yard, they often make piles on the side of the road for city trucks to pick up. Deshwal said about 15% of landfills are composed of leaf litter. He believes reducing that amount would save gas, money, and room in landfills for other materials.

Deshwal said if homeowners are set on cleaning the leaves from their yard, using a rake instead of a leaf blower is less impactful to the insects using leaf litter as a habitat.