As we head into the fall season, it is a good time to reconsider our yard “refuse” practices. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation urges us to: “Think twice before you rake, mow, and blow this year. Invertebrates rely on fallen leaves and other organic debris to cover and insulate themselves from the elements.” They explain how “fall cleanup in moderation” can be orderly while providing crucial overwintering pollinator habitat: “Leaving the leaves and other plant debris doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your yard to the wilderness. The leaves don’t need to be left exactly where they fall. You can rake them into garden beds, around tree bases, or into other designated areas. Too many leaves can kill grass, but in soil they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. Avoid shredding leaves with a mower. Raking or blowing are alternatives that will keep leaves whole for the best cover and protect the insects and eggs already living there.” https://xerces.org/leave-the-leaves.
Another consideration this month is Halloween décor. Precious natural resources are utilized to grow pumpkins, over a billion pounds of which are ultimately sent to landfills to rot and generate methane. https://www.keepaustinfed.org/blog/pumpkins. Organizations like Hubbub urge you to select smaller edible pumpkins, decorate rather than carve, and then “Eat Your Pumpkin”: https://www.hubbub.org.uk/eat-your-pumpkin.
North Loop Neighborhood Association 