There are so many benefits of leaf litter, even though it is often overlooked. Leaf litter is something that some people see as a negative in the home garden, requiring raking and removal.
To the seasoned gardener and amateur naturalist, it’s common knowledge that leaf litter plays a crucial role not only in our natural ecosystems, but in the urban garden ecosystem as well. It serves as a natural mulch that helps retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds.
Then, as it decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil, supporting healthy soil structure. The benefits of leaf litter doesn’t stop there, it also provides a healthy environment for beneficial microbes and fungi and a home for insects to dwell, feed and breed.
Benefits of leaf litter for biodiversity
Insects like our precious Christmas beetles, for example, rely on leaf litter during their larval stage. Their grubs feed on decaying roots and organic matter for up to 12 months before emerging as adult beetles. Leaf litter also provides shelter for small wildlife and contributes to the overall biodiversity of your garden. It truly is nature’s mulch and a key contributor of soil formation, helping to make your garden a welcoming habitat.
So next time you feel the urge to remove your leaf litter, think again and ask yourself: “what is living amongst and underneath this and is there any benefits of leaf litter?” Have a bit of a look to see what is present. If you must rake up portions of leaf litter for whatever reason, be sure to add it to your compostbin or worm farm and not the rubbish or green waste bin. That way at least you’re reducing your carbon footprint by not allowing it to leave the property.
Interested in knowing the difference between mulch and compost, read about it here.
