Leaving the Leaves: An Experimental Approach to Sustainable Yard Care

Are you ready to rethink how we maintain our yards? I’ve just embarked on an experimental project, the "Leaving the Leaves" initiative, with my colleagues at Chalet, Luis and Will.

In my backyard in Wilmette, we’re allowing leaves to fall where they may and composting them on-site. Inspired by Doug Tallamy’s work, this approach is part of a larger effort to foster what he calls “Homegrown National Park” — where each yard becomes a vital habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and other local wildlife. By embracing these natural processes, we aim to boost biodiversity, support pollinators, and nourish the soil in a sustainable, self-sufficient way.

Here’s how we’re doing it:

• Creating a compost heap in a dedicated corner, about 10% of the yard space, to recycle fallen leaves.

• Leaving leaves in garden beds throughout winter, mimicking the forest floor, which Tallamy emphasizes as essential to overwintering insects and the soil ecosystem.

• Blowing leaves off the lawn to maintain a tidy appearance while keeping leaf cover in garden areas where it benefits the ecosystem.

We’re inviting our clients to try this approach in their own yards, fostering Tallamy’s vision of expanding ecological landscapes to urban and suburban yards. As we gather feedback and refine our methods, we aim to develop best practices that strike a balance between aesthetics and environmental benefits.

Why leave the leaves? Key benefits include:

• Boosting Biodiversity: Leaves offer essential habitat and food for beneficial insects, such as pollinators and caterpillars that birds rely on. Tallamy’s research highlights how native insects, especially, need undisturbed leaf litter to thrive, ultimately supporting the food web.

• Natural Soil Enrichment: As the leaves decompose, they add valuable nutrients back into the soil, acting as a slow-release, natural fertilizer that encourages healthier plant growth.

• Reducing Waste: Composting leaves on-site reduces the need to haul them away, helping to minimize waste and keep organic matter in the ecosystem.

• Saving Time and Money: This low-maintenance approach saves on both effort and expenses compared to traditional yard care methods, making it sustainable and accessible.

We’re closely monitoring outcomes and adapting as needed, with the goal of creating an accessible sustainable yard care program that everyone can try. By working together to reimagine our yards as small-scale ecological sanctuaries, we contribute to the larger mission of rebuilding local ecosystems and protecting biodiversity.

I’ll be sharing updates on our progress and insights as we continue exploring this journey toward a sustainable, nature-connected lifestyle. Stay tuned!