Don't rake your lawns, Canadians told

[oneh2obabe]

Oh boy, this may start a few neighbourhood feuds if someone sees the article and decides it's a good idea while the neighbour thinks a pristine lawn is in order.

FREDERICTON - Good news for the lazy: Canada's leading conservation group is asking people not to rake their lawn.

"It's good news if you don't like raking the leaves because leaving them on the ground is the environmentally friendly thing to do," said Andrew Holland, a spokesman for the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

He said the leaves provide a space for many small creatures to survive the winter.

"They provide habitat for butterflies, moths and different kinds of insects that can overwinter under the leaves. It's also good for frogs and toads. The insects that overwinter provide food for birds in the spring," he said.

Dan Kraus, the NCC's senior conservation biologist, said people can also help migratory and resident birds survive winter by not clearing up their gardens.

"Fruits and seeds that remain on flowers and shrubs are a crucial food source that sustains many songbirds, such as goldfinches, jays and chickadees," said Kraus.

"Overwintering insects in our yards also provide an important food source for birds. Providing winter habitats for our native birds and insects is just as important as providing food and shelter during the spring and summer."

Balance of article
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/d ... spartandhp

[TreeGuy]

He’s not wrong.

Trees also use the nutrients from the decaying leaves. Us humans are always messing up nature’s cycle.

[oneh2obabe]

I know - always mulched the leaves and left them on the lawn. Lady down the street would be on her hands and knees picking up leaves and then vacuum the lawn, front walk and driveway to make sure she got every last one.

[OKkayak]

Wish this article was out when I was a kid

[Jlabute]

Sounds good to me. Clean it up come spring after the animals and bugs move out and start looking for upscale accommodations? Or, just leave it there forever?

[Merry]

I don't care what people do about the leaves on their lawn, but I sure wish they'd rake up those that fall onto the sidewalk.

There's a steep hill near me that, every fall, gets covered in leaves from trees that are in a neighbouring yard yet overhang the sidewalk. And when they get wet and slimy they're are a real hazard to walk on.

[Pete Podoski]

And the health issues resulting from the mass of mould that will grow on these wet leaves is good for the pharmaceutical industry.

[fluffy]

Trees also use the nutrients from the decaying leaves. Us humans are always messing up nature’s cycle.

Some leaves are toxic to lawns, walnut trees for example.

[Queen K]

I don't care what people do about the leaves on their lawn, but I sure wish they'd rake up those that fall onto the sidewalk.

There's a steep hill near me that, every fall, gets covered in leaves from trees that are in a neighbouring yard yet overhang the sidewalk. And when they get wet and slimy they're are a real hazard to walk on.

OH yes, and clean the gutters. So many people don't do that either, not realizing how the amassing water on the streets and gutters is actually undermining the whole system.

We are in such a "not my job" society in so many ways.

How about trimming back bushes that are actually growing out into sidewalks too? And trees that overhang branches so much they scrap the roof of vehicles in parking areas? Cottonwoods is guilty of that right here in Kelowna. An acorn tree has hanging branches right in parking areas.

But I like raking the leaves right into my gardens for overwintering. And compost bins. The rich earth I get is never enough to go around.

[Queen K]

And the health issues resulting from the mass of mould that will grow on these wet leaves is good for the pharmaceutical industry.

Leaves breaking down into the soil cause health problems? How? Do people roll in them?