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Just Leave It

21 Dec 2021
Just Leave It

Leave your leaves for the birds and the bees!

Written by: Kalah Simpson, Environmental Compliance Coordinator 
 
Have you ever wanted to skip raking leaves, but are worried that they would smother your beautiful lawn? Would you like to stop buying fertilizer every year to keep your grass healthy? If you answered yes to either question, keep reading! 

According to National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski, “Leaves form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down.” During the winter, leaves decompose and add nutrients to your soil. This natural process will improve your lawn the following spring and reduce the need to buy fertilizer.

In addition to saving time and money, leaf litter supports wildlife. Birds rely on leaf litter to use as nesting material, while caterpillars live in fallen leaves over winter and emerge in the spring.

Follow these three steps to get the most out of your leaves: 

1. In the fall, use a mower or a mulching mower to chop up the leaves. 
2. In the spring, rake excess leaves that have not fully broken down so they do not kill your grass. 
3. After just a few weeks, you will have a beautiful, healthy lawn!

If you dislike the idea of keeping leaves on your lawn, consider raking them into piles around trees or into a garden bed. You will still get the benefits of added nutrients in these areas, while keeping your lawn looking tidy (2). 

If you are still not sold on the idea, use the City of Salisbury’s yard waste collection program. Your collected yard wastes and debris are turned into compost that is available for public use. For more information on our compost program, visit salisburync.gov/Compost.
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Monthly Newsletter

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06/2025Lighting the Way and Giving Back | Legacy Mural | City Budget Review
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07/2024National Night Out | Footbridge Repairs | Approved City Budget | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Prep
07/2024National Night Out | Footbridge Repairs | Approved City Budget | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Prep
07/2024National Night Out | Footbridge Repairs | Approved City Budget | Citizen's Academy | Hurricane Prep
03/2024Vote on Cheerwine Festival T-shirt Design | What to do for Water Line Breaks | Sign Up For RoCo Alerts | Spring Spruce Up Week
03/2024Vote on Cheerwine Festival T-shirt Design | What to do for Water Line Breaks | Sign Up For RoCo Alerts | Spring Spruce Up Week
02/2024Sign Up To Steer Salisbury | Save the Date for Cheerwine Festival | City Begins Budget Process | Protect Your Pipes This Winter
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04/2023Donations for Homeless | City Election Process | Landscape of the Month | Main Street Awards| Spring Spruce Up
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03/2023Beautify Salisbury - Litter Sweeps, BlockWork, Adopt-A-Street, We Dig Salisbury | Cheerwine Festival | Salisbury311
03/2023Beautify Salisbury - Litter Sweeps, BlockWork, Adopt-A-Street, We Dig Salisbury | Cheerwine Festival | Salisbury311
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11/2022Holiday Events | Salisbury Youth Council Inducts New Members | Tips to Shop Safe | Toss the Grease
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01/2019EDK Nominations | Holiday Storefront Awards | Celebrating MLK Weekend | Employee Spotlight | Winter Spruce Up Week | Transit Survey | New Tools Keeps An Eye On Water

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