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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Before New England residents started to bring the rakes out of the shed, Mass Wildlife offered a different clean-up strategy.
Although people might be tempted to get rid of all the leaves on their lawns, Mass Wildlife said leaving the leaves can save you time, help the wildlife and improve the richness of the soil.
Their first tip was to mow over leaves instead of raking them. By breaking down the leaves, it speeds up the decomposition process, adding nutrients back into the soil.
Next, Mass Wildlife said to make brush piles to help provide shelter for wildlife. In developed areas where shelter can be hard to find, smaller animals, like frogs and salamanders, use brush piles as a place to hide and rest.
Lastly, Mass Wildlife encouraged residents to hold off on cleaning up perennial plants and flower heads. Birds that do not migrate south for the winter can survive off the plants, without having to compete with other animals invading bird feeders.
As residents plan next year's plantings, Mass Wildlife provided a list of native plants that provide food for local wildlife.
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