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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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01/2026Human Relations Commission to Host 2026 MLK Celebration | Wine About Winter Returns for 13th Year | Salisbury City Council to Hold Annual Planning Retreat
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08/2025Beautify Your Block: City offers Grant Support | Explore the Outdoors: Salisbury Parks | Applications Now Open for the City of Salisbury Youth Council
07/2025A Night Out For Our Community | Back-to-School Bash: Community Day | Prepare For Hurricane Season
06/2025Lighting the Way and Giving Back | Legacy Mural | City Budget Review
05/2025Rock Out at Cheerwine Festival | Cheers for Shirt Design Winner | Festival Shuttle Service | Festival Information
02/2025Tips For Cold Weather, Cheerwine Festival on May 17, Join A City Board, Tree Give-A-Away
01/2025Downtown Winners, BlockWork T-Shirt Contest, MLK Weekend, Wine About Winter, Leaf Collection, Recycling Calendar
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
11/2024Holiday Events | Safe Shopping Tips | Toss The Grease | Greenway Committee | 130 S. Main St. Survey
08/2024Take A Tree Tour | Officer Awarded For Saving Baby | Sculptures in the Spotlight | Go Out on a limb for the Tree Board
08/2024Take A Tree Tour | Officer Awarded For Saving Baby | Sculptures in the Spotlight | Go Out on a limb for the Tree Board
08/2024Take A Tree Tour | Officer Awarded For Saving Baby | Sculptures in the Spotlight | Go Out on a limb for the Tree Board
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
11/2023Holiday Events | Toss The Grease | Housing Survey | Bike Giveaway | Sculpture Show
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10/2023Dixonville Cemetery Memorial Dedication | Halloween Safety Tips | Empowering Women in Law Enforcement | Leaf Collection and Map
10/2023Dixonville Cemetery Memorial Dedication | Halloween Safety Tips | Empowering Women in Law Enforcement | Leaf Collection and Map
10/2023Dixonville Cemetery Memorial Dedication | Halloween Safety Tips | Empowering Women in Law Enforcement | Leaf Collection and Map
10/2023Dixonville Cemetery Memorial Dedication | Halloween Safety Tips | Empowering Women in Law Enforcement | Leaf Collection and Map
10/2023Dixonville Cemetery Memorial Dedication | Halloween Safety Tips | Empowering Women in Law Enforcement | Leaf Collection and Map
06/2023Dive into Local Pool | Humanitarian Awards | Summer Spruce Up Week | City Budget Updates
06/2023Dive into Local Pool | Humanitarian Awards | Summer Spruce Up Week | City Budget Updates
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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02/2023Protect Your Pipes This Winter | Join A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Recycling In Salisbury | Recycling Calendar
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12/2022Sculpture Calls For Artists | Winter Spruce Up Week | Feedback On Our Future | Be The Difference With A City Career | Holiday Recycling
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02/2022Interim City Manager | Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes | Apply For A Board | City Begins Budget Process | Employee Spotlight
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06/2020 Virtual Festival Is Big Hit | Hurricane Season | Spring Spruce Up | City Prepares Next Year's Budget | Flush Smart | 2020 Census
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