The National Wildlife Federation conducted a survey that revealed 90% of respondents are willing to leave or repurpose the fallen leaves in their yard instead of raking them. Leaving leaves on the ground to decompose can benefit the environment by providing nutrients to the soil, helping trees and yard plants, and providing a habitat for animals. Additionally, leaving leaves in the yard prevents them from ending up in landfills, where they can take up space and produce harmful methane and carbon emissions.
However, there are some drawbacks to not raking leaves. Leaves that are diseased should be raked to prevent the spread of disease to new leaves in the spring. Mowing leaves can help them decompose more quickly, but if there are a large number of leaves in the yard, it may be better to gather them in one place for decomposition.
Overall, the choice to rake or not to rake leaves is up to the individual. There are benefits to leaving leaves in the yard, such as environmental sustainability and providing a habitat for wildlife, but there are also potential drawbacks, like spreading disease. It is important to consider the health of the trees and plants in your yard when deciding whether to rake leaves or let them decompose naturally.
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