Why Leaving the Leaves Is Better for Your Buckhead Yard

As autumn settles over Buckhead, the familiar hum of leaf blowers and rakes signals the annual cleanup. But new research and expert advice suggest that leaving your leaves rather than removing or shredding them may be one of the best things you can do for your garden, local wildlife, and the planet.

Nature’s Free Garden Boost

Fallen leaves are more than seasonal clutter. They’re a natural mulch that enriches soil, prevents erosion, and supports a thriving web of life beneath your feet. As they decompose, leaves improve soil structure and water retention while returning vital carbon and nutrients to the ground. These benefits far exceed what store-bought soil enhancers can provide. They also suppress weeds, insulate roots from heat and cold, and provide essential cover for beneficial insects like butterflies, moths, native bees, and even toads.

A Habitat Hiding in Plain Sight

A two-year study by entomologist Max Ferlauto and ecologist Karin Burghardt at the University of Maryland revealed just how valuable fallen leaves are to biodiversity. In a single square meter of yard where leaves were left in place, nearly 2,000 insects emerged in spring. These included hundreds of beetles, parasitic wasps, spiders, and flies, all of which play vital roles in pollination and pest control.

In contrast, raked or shredded areas saw sharp declines, with 45 percent fewer moths and 56 percent fewer spiders on average. “Removing and shredding are equally bad,” Ferlauto said. “If you have to rake your leaves, move them to another location whole, perhaps under a tree or into a flower bed.”

Even composting, though environmentally better than bagging, can destroy overwintering insects because the high temperatures in active piles kill many of the organisms living within the leaves. Instead, experts recommend letting leaves decompose naturally in garden beds or around trees where they fell.

Smarter Leaf Management

For Buckhead gardeners, especially those surrounded by oaks, magnolias, and maples, the key is balance. Thick, leathery leaves such as those from magnolias may need to be chopped with a mower before spreading, while lighter leaves can be left whole. Keeping paths and driveways clear is important for safety, but the rest of your yard benefits from a more relaxed approach.

Wet down your leaf layers to help them settle and break down, or top them with a light layer of wood mulch to keep them in place. If you already have deep mulch beds, add shredded leaves to your compost instead of sending them to a landfill.

Soil, Wildlife, and Sustainability

Beyond insects, leaving the leaves helps restore long-term soil health. Yards with routine fall cleanup were found to have 24 percent less soil carbon than those where leaves remained undisturbed. Since soil carbon is essential for fertility and water retention, this loss affects not only gardens but also the larger environment, influencing runoff, erosion, and plant resilience.

“Leaves have fallen for millions of years,” horticulturist Rebecca McMackin said. “It’s our job as ecological gardeners to figure out how to incorporate these natural processes into our landscapes in ways that are both functional and beautiful.”

Before reaching for the rake this fall, consider letting your leaves lie or moving them thoughtfully. Your yard’s ecosystems will thank you with healthier soil, more pollinators in spring, and a thriving natural balance that keeps Buckhead beautiful year-round.

Sources:
Margaret Roach, “Why Leaving the Leaves Is Better for Your Yard,” The New York Times, October 8, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/realestate/leaving-leaves-yard.html
Mary Marlowe Leverette, “Should You Let Leaves Sit On Your Flower Beds?” Southern Living, October 4, 2025. https://www.southernliving.com/should-you-let-leaves-sit-on-your-flower-beds-11804364