A view looking up at tree branches covered with yellow autumn leaves, with glimpses of the cloudy sky and green trees in the background.

Sweet, sultry October invites each and every tree to the grand Autumn ball where Summer’s green robes are shed for the opulent, jewel tones of the season.  This year, it is predicted, fall foliage will hit its peak around mid to late October.  A celebration sure not to be missed.

Close-up of colorful leaves in shades of green, yellow, orange, and purple, overlapping each other with visible veins and a soft focus background.

As you know, waning daylight and cooler temperatures are the catalysts in which leaves begin to change color. In addition to vivid displays, trees drop their leaves in an effort to conserve energy and nutrition for the Winter ahead.

Close-up of fallen autumn leaves in shades of brown, yellow, and orange scattered on green mossy ground in a forest.

Leaf drop also means raking, but is there something more useful and noble we could be doing with all these leaves than simply raking, bagging and dumping? Heaven knows this requires a good deal of effort and even greater amount of patience. I’m not suggesting you simply let the leaves lie. This could be detrimental to your lawn, but there are some pragmatic approaches worth trying.

Close-up of reddish-brown leaves on a branch, showing detailed texture and small dark spots. The background is blurred with hints of green foliage.

Composting leaves is always an excellent option. Granted, you’ll still have to rake them, but you’ll be able to recycle, and your soil will benefit from all the organic matter. Don’t have a compost bin? No need to despair. Leaves can be stored in garbage bags that have small holes punctured throughout or some municipalities offer recycling centers where leaves are composted on site and used throughout the community.

Brown autumn leaves cover the ground, with the tips of two dark brown shoes visible at the bottom of the image.

Mulching is yet another valuable option. Leaves can be shredded and added to beds where they act as insulators while naturally fertilizing the soil as they begin to break down.

Brownish-red leaves with clusters of small, pale pink flower buds scattered throughout the plant, viewed from above.

Whatever you decide, the majority of leaves, and other seasonal debris, like acorns, will need to be raked and removed, but you might consider composting or mulching as viable options. In the meantime, if you haven’t done so already, contact Sweeney’s today to schedule your Fall Clean Up. Schedules are filling up fast and leaves are dropping faster!

Plant of the Week

Several bottlebrush-like white flowers with yellow-green centers bloom on a shrub with small, oval leaves and brown stems. The background shows soil and blurred plant pots.

Mount Airy Fothergilla

Deciduous shrub with honey-scented, creamy white bottlebrush-like flowers bloom April – May amongst bluish-green foliage that matures to yellow, orange and red in Fall.  Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 4-6′ tall and 4-6′ wide.

“Autumn bows to place a beautiful crown on the Queen of Morning whose velvet robes sway merrily in the chilly breeze.”

-Terri Guillemets

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney