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An educational initiative to inform homeowners and landscapers about the many advantages of mulching leaves on site. We're Bedford-based, but our message is universal. Join us – and Leave Your Leaves Alone!
Want a landscaper who mulches-in-place? Find one on Landscapers Who Mulch.
For new developments, tips and dialogue, find us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/leaveleavesalone
We're very proud to say that Leave Leaves Alone was the recipient of two awards in 2012. See stories about the Earth Day Award from Westchester County and a Green Award from Bedford's Conservation Board.
Leaf mulching demonstrations & consultations are available on request. email: leaveleavesalone@gmail.com
For new developments, tips and dialogue, find us on Facebook. www.facebook.com/leaveleavesalone
We're very proud to say that Leave Leaves Alone was the recipient of two awards in 2012. See stories about the Earth Day Award from Westchester County and a Green Award from Bedford's Conservation Board.
Leaf mulching demonstrations & consultations are available on request. email: leaveleavesalone@gmail.com
Don't Blow ... Mow!
Yes, we're saying mow your leaves into your lawn.
Leaf mulching is good for the environment, it's good for your garden and it saves time and money
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Time to End a Wasteful, Outdated Practice
Bedford’s annual ritual of raking, blowing, piling, bagging, and trucking leaves out of residential neighborhoods costs each homeowner - or their landscaper - hours of time each fall and robs our yards of one of nature's greatest resources: rich, natural compost.
The town’s curbside pick-up program requires Town of Bedford workers to spend many hours scooping leaves up from the street and carting them to a composting facility.
Each fall, Town of Bedford workers spend 2,500 man-hours over a five week period, using approximately seven town vehicles to pick up leaves.
That means about seven town employees are spending five weeks collecting our leaves. This practice causes diesel pollution, and is a waste of time and a waste of money -- our money -- our tax dollars.
There are alternatives and they’ll save you time AND money. The sustainable way of managing leaves involves mulching or composting them on your own property. It's safer, more efficient, saves time and money, minimizes pollution and is better for your soil and plants.
If we stop blowing our leaves onto the streets for the town to pick up, everyone wins.
Mulching Equipment: Click here for local dealers who supply mulching blades and attachments designed specifically for grass and leaf mulching.
What is Leaf Mulching?
Leaf mulching is the practice of chopping leaves into small pieces. Mulching can be done with a lawn mower or a leaf shredder. Mulched leaves can be left on your lawn (they fall between the grass blades) or piled 3" or 4" deep on garden beds and around shrubs where they act as a protective layer in the winter and, in the growing season, prevent weed growth and help conserve water. Leaf mulch decomposes over time, adding important nutrients and structure to the soil.Composted leaves reduce in volume more than 10-fold.Leave Leaves Alone!
in the News
The practice of leaf mulching is gaining a good deal of attention among gardeners, landscapers and environmentalists as we all seek ways to save money and help the environment.
The Journal News, September 2011The Patch, September 2011
NPR talks to the National Audubon Society about the merits of leaf mulching
