THE FALLEN LEAVES

BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted November 16, 2005)

Someone once called Autumn "the year's last, loveliest smile."

And, driving around Nashville in Autumn, I'm convinced the loveliest lawns are the ones left unkempt.... unraked.

Years ago, I often made that case to my Daddy, but he didn't buy it.... he liked the yard raked.... and he liked it raked by me.

Of course, my intention in trying to convince Daddy about the beauty of the leaves was, in reality, nothing more than trying to avoid having to rake the yard.

Now, as an adult with no ulterior motive, I still cringe when I see folks raking up the leaves too soon.
Those leaves should be left to grace the ground for awhile.
For months, they shaded our heads from the hot sun.... now, they cushion our feet with a soft, stunning carpet of rich colors.
And what a magical wonderland for children.

But there's more to it than just the beauty of the leaves.
I read an article by an lawn expert saying that you get more beneficial organic matter into your soil by not raking the leaves at all.
He advises just run your lawn mower over the leaves.... chopping them up into little pieces.... and then leave them right there.

He says, the chopped leaves will quickly break down and disappear, making your lawn even healthier and more beautiful the next Spring.

Wonder if my Daddy would have bought that?

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