Sowing the Seeds of Wonder in Our Gardens
Fall is in the air! Several liquid amber trees grow on the route of my morning dog walk, and I always take a moment to appreciate the useless beauty of the colorful, fallen leaves. While it’s tempting to rake them up, one of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to provide them with the shelter they need to survive winter. Luckily, that’s pretty simple; all you need to do is do less yard work. Remember that the best way to cut greenhouse gases and benefit your garden is to leave the leaves!
Leaves create a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds while fertilizing the soil as it breaks down. Mulching can protect the soil surface and help prevent erosion from rainfall. Mulch also helps moderate temperature extremes by keeping roots warmer during winter and cooler in summer, and helps retain moisture in the ground, which is especially useful during droughts. Rake leaves off the lawn and leave them under trees and in flower beds. Choose an area to let be completely wild. For me, it is behind the cottage, which I have barricaded so my husband and gardener do not destroy crucial pollinator habitat. While you are at it, don’t deadhead native plants. Native insects and animals eat the seeds, and many native plants reseed year after year. Embrace an untidy garden!
Other club news: Mary Sanchez has stepped down from the board due to health reasons. The board has appointed Mary Jones to fill the vacancy.
Nancy Englund
2026-2026 President