A cold snap hits, the garden beds go quiet, and most people assume the soil is ready for hibernation. But winter is actually the perfect time to supercharge your soil so it wakes up in spring richer, fluffier, and more fertile than ever. With the right ingredients—leaves, compost, kitchen scraps, mulch, and a few clever…
fallen leaves
12 Garden Maintenance Chores for December That Avoid Spring Stress
Winter may have arrived, but your garden doesn’t have to hibernate completely. December is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and tackle small but crucial chores that will make your spring planting smoother, healthier, and far less stressful. Even in the cold, there are tasks you can do to protect your plants, improve…
Why Pollinator Habitat Shouldn’t Be Cut Back Yet
There’s something magical about stepping outside on a crisp morning and realizing the world is still humming—literally—with tiny winged workers who haven’t punched out for the season. Contrary to the tidy instincts that kick in when the weather cools, this is not the moment to wage war on your yard with pruning shears and leaf…
Should You Leave Fallen Leaves or Clean Them Up? The Real Answer
Autumn has arrived, and with it comes the glorious, crunchy carpet of fallen leaves that everyone loves to admire… until it starts piling up in your yard. Suddenly, that idyllic scene of golds, reds, and oranges becomes a slippery mess, a clogged gutter nightmare, or a habitat for pests. The debate begins: should you leave…
Why Rodent Populations Spike in Autumn Gardens
Autumn is magical—crisp air, colorful leaves, and the smell of pumpkin spice drifting through the neighborhood. But as gardeners admire the seasonal beauty, an uninvited guest is often preparing a grand entrance: rodents. Mice and rats suddenly seem everywhere, sneaking through fallen leaves, nibbling on vegetables, and exploring compost heaps with alarming determination. While it…
6 Common Mistakes When Raking Leaves
There’s a moment every autumn when you step outside, inhale that crisp air, and suddenly realize your lawn has transformed into a crunchy, colorful disaster zone. It looks beautiful—until you remember you are the one who has to clean it up. Raking leaves seems like the kind of task anyone can do without thinking, but…
Why Garden Beds Sink After Leaf Mulching
There’s a moment every gardener knows too well: you step outside expecting to admire your beautifully mulched garden bed, only to realize it looks like it’s sagging, settling, or sinking as if the earth decided to take a long nap. The first instinct is to panic—did you do something wrong, did critters move in, or…
The Right Way to Move Houseplants Indoors Without Losing Leaves
Your plants have been thriving outdoors all summer, basking in warm breezes, savoring morning dew, and flourishing with chlorophyll, much like sun-loving royalty. Then suddenly, autumn breezes arrive carrying a whisper of winter, and you realize the great migration must begin. Move them too fast, and the leaves drop like confetti at a parade you…
Stop Raking! Why Leaving the Leaves Might Save Your Lawn
Crunching leaves underfoot is a fall tradition. The rake comes out, the yard bags fill up, and somewhere in the back of your mind, you hear your grandparents saying, “A tidy lawn is a healthy lawn.” But what if they were wrong? What if all those hours spent raking, bagging, and dragging leaf piles to…
Why Rainwater Collection Is Easier in Fall
There’s something magical about fall—the crisp air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and the smell of rain drifting through the breeze. It’s the season of sweaters, pumpkin-spiced everything, and, believe it or not, the perfect time to start collecting rainwater. If you’ve been putting off setting up a rain barrel or diving into water conservation,…