3 Reasons to STOP Raking Your Leaves

Here's a thought: Skip the whole raking leaves thing this fall.

Heck, stop raking leavesforever.

No, you're not dreaming.

There areactual, legitimate, vital reasons(beyond simply preferring to spend a Sunday on the couch) why you can let the leaves pile up outside without feeling a single ounce of guilt.

The National Wildlife Federation is asking you (yes,you!) to put the rake down for the sake of Mother Earth.

In apostpublished to the organization's blog,the NWF outlines three important reasonswhy raking leaves is actually harmful for the environment and the creatures that live in your 'hood.

Here are three reasons your rake should stay put in the shed.

1. Your raking affects many critters that consider the leaves home.

Fallen leaves are vital for several adorable species like chipmunks, box turtles, and shrews and other not-as-adorable-but-equally-important species like earthworms and various insects.

"The leaf layer is its own mini-ecosystem,"theNWFsays. "Many wildlife species live in or rely on the leaf layer to find food and other habitat."

Yep, raking leaves can destroy the seasonal housing accommodations that these species need to survive. Don't do it.

2. Fallen leaves are exactly what your garden needs.

Dead leaves are the gift that keeps on giving for your garden. They act as an all-natural,weed-fighting mulch all whilefertilizing the soilas they decompose.

So do your garden good and give your raking a rest.

3. Raking your leaves means fewer beautiful butterflies. And that means less food for birds.

Fallen leaves are a great spot forbutterflies and moths tochillduring the colder monthsas pupae. Not only will raking up your leaves kill these creatures, but it affects the food supply for birds that are trying to feed their babies come spring.

Bottom line? Put. The rake. Down.

Getting rid of your fallen leaves harms critters, hinders your green thumb talents, and takes up far too many autumn afternoons when you could be doingliterallyanything else.

Go enjoy your leaves just as they are! (And thank me later.)