Proctor’s Garden: Here’s why you shouldn’t rake leaves

It may be tempting to, but it is actually not a good thing to rake your leaves in the fall.

DENVER — Some people have a compulsion to rake up every leaf that falls on their property. That’s not necessarily a good idea. While it’s perfectly logical to sweep fallen leaves off paved surfaces, most leaves should be left where they fall.

Leaves are future soil. The crumble and degrade over the winter and enrich the soil.

What about leaves on turf areas? Use a mulching mower to cut them up. Or take the catcher off a conventional mower. This feeds the grass.

Please don’t send leaves to landfills. You can easily compost them. It doesn’t have to be a complicated operation. Just pile them on a tarp and weigh them down with branches or chicken wire. Or just dump them in a bin. By spring they will turn into what English gardeners call leaf mold. Use this nutritious stuff as topdressing for borders or vegetable beds. It can also be added to potting soil mixes. It’s very good for plants.

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