All Those Autumn Leaves

Peak fall color has passed for most of the state and leaves are slowly falling. Wherever they fall, they decompose and restock the soil with nutrients and organic matter.

But when there is no soil to land on–such as on a street or sidewalk–the leaves, and all the decomposing bits, wash down the street and into the storm drain. They go directly into lakes and rivers where the nutrients will feed unwanted algae growth next summer. In addition to a major “ick” factor, this algae is a problem because when it dies and decomposes at the bottom of the lake it uses up oxygen that fish and native plants need.

In the Mississippi River-Twin Cities watershed 87 of the 180 lakes studied didn’t meet water quality standards because of excess nutrients–that’s about half the lakes! And leaves are a major source of the problem. Depending on the lake, leaves might account for 60% of the excess nutrients in these lakes.

Don’t “leaf” it up to someone else to solve this problem! Here’s what to do with your autumn leaves so that they nourish the soil and not unwanted algae.

Rake the leaves that have accumulated along your curb, sidewalk, and alley

Several times during the fall, rake up the leaves that have accumulated along your curb and sidewalk. Street sweeping in late fall helps keep a lot of leaves from entering the water. If your city doesn’t already do this, encourage them to start! By the time the street sweepers drive by, however, lots of decomposition and several rain storms may have occurred. You can help by raking 1-2 additional times. If you work with youth or community groups, consider organizing a community clean up for water quality to do this for others. Never rake leaves into the street, even when you know the street sweeper is coming.

 

Never trash or burn your leaves

Don’t add leaves to the regular trash (it’s illegal!) and don’t burn them. Burning leaves releases large amounts of air pollution. These pollutants can cause breathing problems for sensitive groups and lead to long-term health effects for all of us.

 

Put leaves in your backyard compost pile

One of the best ways to use leaves (from the street or the yard) is to compost them in your backyard. My backyard bin isn’t big enough to accommodate all our leaves, so I usually put early and late season leaves in the bin and then on my main raking weekend I bring the rest to a compost or yard waste drop-site (see below). If you have room, also bag up and store some dry leaves to use a carbon source (“browns”) in your compost pile during the coming year.

 

Use leaves to mulch your garden and lawn

Whole or shredded leaves can be used as mulch. Mulch benefits the soil and reduces weeds. On the lawn, use a mower to break apart the leaves so that they fall between the blades of grass (consider using an electric mower, since two-cycle gas lawn mowers, especially older models, produce large amounts of air pollution). Don’t let the leaf layer get too thick! In garden beds, leaves provide a protective layer of insulation for perennial gardens and shrubbery, either bagged or loose.

Drop leaves off at a compost site
Another option is to drop off your leaves and sticks at a compost site near you. Depending on where you live, these may be called “yard waste” or “brush” drop sites. Contact your city or county for drop-off site locations, items accepted and any fees involved.

 

Consider curbside pick-up if you want a convenient option

Your garbage hauler may separately collect yard waste–sometimes for an additional fee–and then bring it to a commercial compost site. Contact your garbage hauler to learn about your pick-up options.

Be aware that residents in the St. Cloud area who bag their yard and organic waste are required to put their waste out for pickup in compostable bags–either paper bags or compostable plastic bags.

Play in your leaf pile

Before bagging or moving the leaves,  jump in them! Inhale deeply. Share your pile by leaving it on the lawn near the sidewalk for a few days with chalk note that says, “jump!” There are tons of benefits to playing outside including boosting vitality; improving vision; reducing risks of heart disease, obesity, bone problems, depression, and stress; reducing the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and more.