As the crisp air of autumn settles in, many of us are tempted to grab our rakes and clean up the fallen leaves that blanket our lawns. While a tidy yard may seem appealing, leaving those leaves in place can play a critical role in helping pollinators and other insects survive the winter—and ultimately benefit our ecosystems.

Leaves Are a Lifeline for Insects

Pollinators, such as butterflies, moths, and bees, rely on leaf litter as part of their life cycle. Insects like the luna moth and certain species of butterflies overwinter as pupae in the protection of fallen leaves. When we rake and bag up leaves, we’re often unknowingly disrupting this natural habitat, potentially killing the very pollinators that help our flowers bloom and our gardens thrive come spring.
By leaving leaves on the ground, you create a safe, insulated environment for these insects to hibernate and emerge in warmer weather, ready to do their important work.

Why Pollinators Matter
Pollinators are essential to our ecosystem, playing a key role in reproducing over 75% of flowering plants, including many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we rely on for food. Without them, many of the crops and wildflowers we enjoy would not thrive. Supporting their survival during the winter months is crucial to maintaining healthy ecosystems and food sources.

The Hidden Benefits for Your Yard
In addition to providing a habitat for pollinators, leaving leaves in your yard offers several environmental benefits. As leaves decompose, they enrich the soil with nutrients, promoting healthier lawns and gardens in the long run. They also act as a natural mulch, retaining moisture and suppressing weeds, which means less maintenance for you and a more sustainable, eco-friendly landscape.

A Small Change, A Big Impact
By choosing to leave your leaves—or at least reduce how many you rake—you’re making a positive impact on your local ecosystem. Pollinators and insects play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, and their survival depends on the choices we make in our own backyards. This fall, consider embracing a more natural approach to yard care and know that by doing so, you’re helping to protect the delicate balance of nature.

Let the leaves lie, and let life thrive.
This small, simple shift in how we think about fall cleanup can have a lasting effect on the insects that sustain our environment. Together, we can help pollinators survive the winter and continue their vital role in keeping our ecosystems flourishing.