© Shutterstock

Fall foliage -

Autumn/fall is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. If you're lucky enough to live in the vicinity of trees, your yard might be filling up with leaves.

© Shutterstock

Expert advice -

As these colorful leaves begin to fall, it's tempting to begin to gather them up or rake them away. However, experts say you might want to leave at least some in your yard.

© Shutterstock

Expert advice -

Removing the leaves might actually be worse for your yard, and for the environment, too. There's a balance to be struck between the amount of leaves you should leave behind and those you should remove.

© Shutterstock

Fertilization -

Keeping at least some of the leaves in your yard can help fertilize grass and plants, provide a place of shelter for animals, and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

© Shutterstock

Fertilization -

Leaves typically fall around the root zone of plants. When they remain there, they suppress the growth of other plants and weeds.

© Shutterstock

Composting -

The leaves then slowly break down at the base of trees, right above the root zone. They return nutrients to the plant that it can recycle and reuse next spring.

© Shutterstock

Ecosystem -

What's more, the fallen leaves create an ecosystem for wildlife, indeed forming an entire ecosystem in and of itself.

© Shutterstock

Ecosystem -

There might actually be thousands of species living on the leaf layer that aren't visible to the naked eye. Everything from the humble earthworm to bigger salamanders and toads might call this habitat home during the fall months.

© Shutterstock

Caterpillars -

Caterpillars provide food to birds in this ecosystem. They also tend to find a home in the leaf layers that fall on the ground in autumn.

© Shutterstock

Food source -

The wildlife habitat created by fallen leaves acts as a food source for local birds, who need it to feed their babies.

© Shutterstock

Leaf blowing -

Beware, too, of leaf blowing. Leaves that are blown from your yard onto the street can disrupt drains and local water supplies.

© Shutterstock

Leaf blowing -

This can cause leaves to end up in rivers and streams where the drains lead, affecting water quality and sensitive species who have adapted to those waterways.

© Shutterstock

Removing leaves -

Experts agree that when fallen leaves begin to form a mat over the grass in your yard as the weather cools down, it's time to remove them.

© Shutterstock

Removing leaves -

It's recommended to place some of the leaves in garden beds or to rake them into a bigger pile, where they can naturally compost and break down.

© Shutterstock

Raking method -

Perhaps you're a new homeowner, or someone who is living with a yard for the first time. Learning the correct method to rake leaves will help keep your yard healthy this fall and into the springtime.

© Shutterstock

Use the right rake -

There is more than one type of rake on the market. To effectively gather the leaves in your yard, you need one that's not too large or small for the job.

© Shutterstock

Use the right rake -

The correct size rake reaches the bridge of your nose, and it allows you to spread out your hands as you hold it in position.

© Shutterstock

Lifting leaves -

A rake is not a shovel. Unfortunately, it's not made to withstand the pressure of hoisting the leaves, especially wet leaves, repeatedly.

© Shutterstock

Lifting leaves -

If you put pressure like this on a rake, it will eventually break. Use tarps, snow shovels, claws, or gather the leaves with your hands to prevent your rake from breaking.

© Shutterstock

Wear gloves -

Save yourself the blisters and make sure you wear gloves when you go to gather your fall leaves. Whether you invest in gardening gloves or not is up to you.

© Shutterstock

Wear gloves -

While you're at it, consider the rest of your outfit too, to make sure it's appropriate for the job at hand. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed toe shoes are a must when raking leaves in your yard.

© Shutterstock

Dust mask -

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, consider wearing a dust mask while you tidy. Shoveling leaves can stir up a lot of things you might not want to breathe in.

© Shutterstock

Wind direction -

To make your life easier, always rake the leaves in the direction the wind is blowing. By letting nature work for you, you can finish the job in less time and with less effort.

© Shutterstock

Don't rake after rain -

A sure-fire way to break your rake is to attempt raking leaves after it's been raining. Use your common sense and wait until the leaves dry out.

© Shutterstock

A giant pile of leaves -

While raking your leaves into a giant pile can make for some fun times, it's generally best not to do this. On a practical level, large piles of leaves are hard to move, adding more work.

© Shutterstock

Free compost -

Leaves are free compost, containing lots of essential nutrients to nourish your lawn. Use the leaf mulch to enrich the soil in your yard.

© Shutterstock

Use a lawn mower -

Using a lawn mower can help break down leaves into smaller pieces that you can use to compost and enrich your soil. A mulching mower is a great option if you regularly mow in the fall, as it won't grind too many leaves at once.

© Shutterstock

Environmentally conscious -

Our yards are our own small piece of Earth and the environment. By being environmentally conscious when raking and disposing of fall leaves, you help to take care of the planet in a small but vital way.

Sources: (USA Today) (Daily Mail)

See also: Europe in the fall—the best locations to appreciate autumn

© Shutterstock