WHAT TO DO IN THE FALL?
LEAVES, TREE CLIPPINGS & NEW PLANTINGS
LEAVES—LOVE THEM AND LEAVE THEM
STOP BLOWING IN WINTER
WHY?
Fallen leaves offer physical protection for wildlife. The organic materials in fallen leaves provide food, shelter and nesting material—Susan Brandt, Blooming Soils
Fallen leaves form a natural mulch. They retain moisture, suppress weeds, fertilize soil and provide habitat for animals and insects. Removing leaves eliminates wildlife habitat for box turtles, toads, birds, mammals, and insects who rely on leaf litter for hibernation and regeneration during winter months. This includes some pollinators. According to Native Wildlife Federation naturalist, David Mizijewski, many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves emerging in the spring.
You blow, they die.
Read more: What you can do right now!
1. RAKE LEAVES UNDER AND AROUND YOUR TREES FOR WINTER MULCH & FERTILIZER
2. LEAVE THEM IN PLACE FOR OVER-WINTER INSECT REGENERATION & ANIMAL LIFE
3. MULCH THEM FOR YOUR COMPOST PILE
4. TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO HUMAN AND INSECT HEALTH CAUSED BY LEAF BLOWERS.
5. TALK TO YOUR LANDSCAPER ABOUT ALTERNATIVE
LANDSCAPING METHODS & STRATEGIES:
6. USE A RAKE, NOT A BLOWER
PRUNING TREES?
1. KEEP THE CLIPPED BRANCHES AND TWIGS ON
YOUR PROPERTY
2. CREATE A BEAUTIFUL BERM OR HÜGEL AS A
LANDSCAPING FEATURE
PLANT TREES & NATIVES IN THE FALL
Fall is a good time to plant Golden Rod, Joe Pye and Asters.
According to Alicia Whitaker of the Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons and ChangeHampton Advisor, here are suggestions for fall native plantings:
Ámelanchier canadensis – serviceberry
Armonía arbutifolia – red chokeberry
Callicarpa Americans – American beautybush
Clethra Alnifolia – summersweet
Cornus amomum- Silky dogwood
Hamamelis virginiana – Witch Hazel
Ilex glabra – Inkberry
Lindera benzoin – Spicebush
Physocarpus opulifolius – Ninebark
Quercus – Oak trees (many species)
Sambucus canadensis
Spirea alba – Meadowsweet
Viburnum dentatum, Viburnum trilobum
“These can be safely planted here through the end of October unless we have unusually cold weather.” Alicia Whitaker
A local nursery to consider:
KMS Native Plants website & newsletter for the Plant of the Week:
Remember to check out our website for more ideas and send us your stories and experiences: info@changehampton.org
