A Sustainable Fall Gardening Transition

This year, ClearWater Conservancy is reminding our community about the importance of a sustainable fall gardening transition. For many gardeners and landowners, the sight of falling leaves and fading blooms signals it’s time for a garden cleanup. However, one of the most valuable things you can do to support pollinators and other invertebrates is to leave your leaves and provide the shelter they need to survive the winter. 

Natural materials such as leaves, fallen logs, plant stems, brush piles, and flower heads create excellent homes for wildlife. A layer of leaves provides insulation from the cold for many species that hide within them or in the soil beneath. Fireflies, moths, butterflies, bumblebees, and countless other insects depend on this winter cover. Removing all of your leaves and plant material not only takes away critical habitat but may also harm species that have already settled in for the winter. 

As we embrace the fall season, ClearWater Conservancy is ensuring our native gardens continue to support local wildlife through the colder months. 

How to Garden with Nature in Mind 

1. Leave Fallen Leaves: Leaving leaves and other plant debris does not mean letting your yard go unattended. A thin layer of leaves improves soil quality, supports plant health, and creates habitat for pollinators. For a more managed look, move leaves into garden beds, around tree bases, or into designated habitat zones 

2. Avoid Shredding Leaves: Whole leaves provide better shelter than shredded ones. Shredding may also destroy overwintering eggs, caterpillars, and cocoons. Instead of using a mower, opt for gentler tools such as a rake or a blower on a low setting to keep leaves intact. 

3. Compost Yard Waste: Excess yard material can be turned into a valuable soil amendment. Establish a compost pile or use a bin, collecting organic matter such as grass clippings, leaves, vegetable scraps, and coffee grounds. For effective composting, balance green (nitrogen-rich) materials like food scraps with brown (carbon-rich) materials such as dried leaves and straw. Healthy compost improves soil structure, conserves moisture, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Learn more here. 

   
   

4. Leave Seed Heads Intact: Dry or “dead” flowers and grasses still play a vital role in the ecosystem. Their seed heads provide an important food source for birds such as sparrows, chickadees, and goldfinches throughout the winter months. Every seed head left standing functions as a natural food supply for wildlife. 

5. Leave Hollow Plant Stems: Some pollinator species, such as mason bees and leafcutter bees, can overwinter in hollow plant stems. If you leave these stems in the fall rather than removing them from your garden beds, you will provide a home for these bees to overwinter. In the spring, dried stems can be cut to 8 –24 inches in height to encourage cavity nesting bees to build nests. Plants with hollow or pithy stems provide excellent habitat for these bees.  

   
   

When to Clean Up

Exceptions always apply—diseased plants or anything that presents a safety hazard should be removed. Otherwise, leaves and stems can be left in place until spring. By delaying cleanup until after temperatures consistently rise above 50°F for a week in late May, you ensure pollinators and insects have emerged safely before stems and grasses are trimmed back. 

By adopting these practices, we are not just growing gardens, we are creating habitats. Each leaf pile, seed head, and brush cluster contributes to a healthier ecosystem. These small steps help sustain the birds, bees, and insects that play a critical role in keeping our environment thriving year after year. 

Come visit our native garden and see how simple fall practices can make a big difference for local wildlife. It’s a great example of how we can provide winter food and habitat for the birds and bees!

To sign up, email: jennifer@clearwaterconservancy.org

Read about our native garden here: https://www.clearwaterconservancy.org/garden

Learn more about why to leave the leaves at: https://www.xerces.org/blog/leave-the-leaves