Comments on: One more reason to remove dead leaves from flower beds

By: Ottawa Gardener

Ottawa Gardener — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:33:48 +0000

Oh I do want to point out that I am a huge fan of leaving the fall leaves for mulch, I just tidy up around some focal plants for colour. I also leave some stalks and seeds for the wildlife.

By: Ottawa Gardener

Ottawa Gardener — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:31:57 +0000

Hailing from the great white Canadian north, I have to agree that even here, you can eek out a few more weeks of colour by judiciously maintaining some of your perennials. I cut back old flowering stalks and freshen leaves to allow some of my more evergreen (it's eversnow here for most of the winter) to give one last show before the snow. I even do this with my veggies to coax out another flush of greens.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:01:34 +0000

I agree with hortoris. I like leaves in some of my garden beds, especially under the oaks and avocados – both of which are happy to have them. The oak tree is doing great and we are enjoying the avocados right now. Best of all, I'm not out there raking.

By: hortoris

hortoris — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:43:47 +0000

Remove the leaves only if you want a sterile, manicured appearance. Leave it to nature and you will be happy with the results

By: eliz

eliz — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:39:03 +0000

Well, actually I am a big fan of the evergreen ground cover, and if you have it, you have to get rid of your leaves, as they do not readily decompose in it. so there's your seventh reason! Thanks for the linkie!