As leaves fall from the trees and into your yard, your first instinct may be to scoop them right into the green bin. But before you pull out the rake, take a moment to consider how those leaves can help your landscape — and save you money.
Leave the leaves where they fall to help boost soil health or rake them up to distribute in landscape beds as mulch and fertilizer.
While you’re at it, delay pruning bare stems and old flower heads until spring. A cozy corner of fallen leaves and twigs helps shelter insects and wildlife through winter, including many butterfly species.
And faded flower seedheads become energy-packed snacks for birds.