Share:

As you’re tackling your end-of-season gardening this year it may be time for an attitude shift about leaves. Many people view this tree detritus as a nuisance, but leaves can be beneficial. Don’t rake them into bags and place them on the curb. Instead, your family can use nature’s leftovers around your yard and home. Below are three ways to do just that. 

Make Use of Your Leaf Piles with These 3 Projects

1. Mulch

Mulch is one of the best fertilizers out there. You can add mulch to your gardening plots to reduce the harshness of winter temperatures. These decomposing leaves will also reintroduce nutrients like magnesium and calcium into the soil which will come in handy next growing season. Plus, leaves help the soil retain moisture, making it a great material to add to the base of trees in your yard. 

2. Species Identification Books

gardeningHelp your little ones learn about local foliage by creating fall leaf books together. Collect leaves from different species gathered around your yard or neighborhood. Spray the leaves lightly with hairspray to help preserve them. Then, press the leaves between the pages of a sketchbook. Encourage your kids to look up facts about each tree represented in their book to write in the space around the organisms on each page. This is a fantastic project for biology extra credit or show and tell.

3. Decor & Crafts

Forget buying fake leaves from a craft store to decorate your home this fall. Instead, keep it local and use the ones you find while gardening during the season. You can cover leaves with stamp ink and make unique prints for your walls that celebrate the time of year. Or, create your own leaf bowl by covering a bowl with plastic wrap and adding a layer of leaves coated in Mod Podge. Let the creation dry before covering them with glaze. After that coat dries you can remove the bowl and peel the plastic wrap off to reveal a decorative leaf bowl.

 

If you need help with landscaping this fall contact The Gardener in Columbia, MO. Their talented team has nearly 30 years of experience planting trees, maintaining yards, and gardening around patios, fences, and pathways. To learn about their seasonal offerings call (573) 446-0802. Visit the website for information on their wide range of personalized services including mulching, creating custom decks, and putting in landscape lighting.

tracking