LISLE, Ill. (WLS) — As fall settles in, many people are busy raking leaves. But what if you simply left them on the ground?
The “Leave the Leaves” movement has been gaining attention recently, and Spencer Campbell, plant clinic manager at the Morton Arboretum, spoke with ABC7 Chicago on Wednesday to explain why.
Campbell shared that fallen leaves offer several environmental benefits. They make excellent mulch, compost, and soil enrichment. Additionally, leaves provide natural insulation for plant roots, helping them withstand harsh temperatures. They also offer shelter for seeds that will germinate in the spring.
“When we apply mulch in our gardens, we are essentially mimicking the protective layer of leaf litter that occurs naturally in the wild,” Campbell said.
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