A bit of rethinking about what you do with your leaves this fall will help your yard!

With Denver’s arid climate and the recent drought in Colorado, there is a heightened awareness and understanding of the need to retain moisture in our gardens and on our lawns. With Fall upon us nature is providing yet another valuable resource to help us improve our soil and aid in water retention … fallen leaves.

"A light layer of leaves (probably no more than an inch or so) may be left directly on lawns," states Judy Elliott, the Education and Community Empowerment specialist for Denver Urban Gardens. According to Judy, who is also the resident composting guru, "Mowing leaves in several directions, to break up large pieces, and then raking the residue to more evenly distribute them over the surface should be all that is needed. Fall aeration, followed by leaf mulch (mowed leaves), with possibly a sprinkling of compost will make for happy lawns and promote deeper rooting patterns."