Jenny Brown leads the copy and research department at Real Simple magazine. Whether the topic is home, food, fashion, beauty, health, or finances, she helps ensure print articles are clear, engaging, factually accurate, and unbiased. She has more than 13 years' experience as a writer, reporter, copyeditor, and fact-checker. Highlights: * Created the Real Simple style guide, with an eye toward keeping the magazine's language precise, consistent, and inclusive * Created the Real Simple research library to help writers find vetted, reliable information online * Formerly worked at Health and ARTnews magazines * Completed the Advanced Editing Certificate Program from ACES and the Poynter Institute, getting special training in substantive editing, critical thinking, and accurate, audience-focused reporting * Completed the Moore Fact-Checking Workshop via MIT's Knight Science Journalism Program

Raking, blowing, and bagging dead leaves: an essential part of fall yard cleanup, right? Well, as eco-friendly landscaping becomes increasingly popular, more and more people are reconsidering this annual chore. In a recent National Wildlife Federation survey, 18% of respondents said they'll skip removing leaves from their yards this year -- an uptick from 15% in 2024.

Leaving the leaves nourishes the soil, protects pollinators and other wildlife, and even helps combat climate change. Yet many homeowners worry that the leaves will kill their grass, harbor pests, and simply look sloppy.

Luckily, you can have the best of both worlds. We asked experts how to reap the benefits of fallen leaves while keeping your yard looking well maintained and pretty.

The pressure to rake began in the mid-20th century, with the rise of the American suburb. "A clean, uniform lawn was marketed as a symbol of success," says Krista De Cooke of Homegrown National Park. "That aesthetic and the industries that grew around it helped normalize the idea that leaves were messy or neglectful."

As a result, people started bagging up leaves and sending them out with the garbage. Today about 10 million tons of yard waste go to landfills every year in the U.S., according to the EPA, where it ends up releasing methane, a powerful greenhouse gas linked to climate change.

Yet leaves are actually crucial to the health of your outdoor space, experts say. "Leaves act as free mulch, suppressing weeds, retaining soil moisture, protecting plant roots, and returning essential nutrients to the soil as they break down," notes Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation.

Pollinators and wildlife rely on them, too. "Whether it's a luna moth that's made its cocoon in a leaf that falls to the ground, or firefly larvae that live there for the first couple years of their lives, leaving leaves is essential for ecosystem health," says L.Be Laskowski-Sholar, a landscape designer who specializes in sustainability. Likewise, Phillips adds, "protecting overwintering insects in the leaf litter provides an important food source for songbirds that forage among the leaves."

Our experts agree that the most eco-friendly -- and low-effort -- approach is to let the leaves fall and not move them at all. "It's the most natural way to support wildlife and preserve the ecosystem," Phillips says.

However, they acknowledge that not everyone can (hello, HOA!) or wants to do this. So here are some ways to maximize the benefits of leaves while maintaining a tidy look.

You can leave a light scattering of leaves on your grass to help nourish the soil. "They'll break down over the winter and into the spring," De Cooke says. "But heavy piles will smother and kill grass, especially in damp areas."

You may be tempted to mow or mulch the leaves on your lawn to help them break down faster, but our experts say not to. "It can injure or kill some of the insects that overwinter in the leaf litter," Phillips says. "Only mow as a last resort, like if it's necessary due to HOA restrictions."

Rake or blow (with an electric blower) a layer of leaves, up to five inches thick, into your garden beds, where they'll be a boon to your flowers. "Plants will have no problem growing through them the following spring," De Cooke says.

Also, create circular piles of leaves around trees and shrubs. "Enlarging tree rings, ideally to the size of the leaf drip line, is one of the first tactics I employ in my designs," Laskowski-Sholar says. "To keep things even tidier, add a short barrier -- such as a fence or edging -- to create a corral for fallen leaves. It's clear to your neighbors that it's intentional, and will serve as a nursery for all of next year's beneficial bugs."

Have you heard of dead hedges? They're fences constructed of sticks, branches, and other yard detritus, and they're a popular sustainable design feature. A neat barrier like this is a great place for excess leaves.

Alternatively, you can simply heap leaves in areas where you don't use the grass. "Create clear edges and intentional shapes," De Cooke says. "Define borders with stones or logs so your leaf areas look designed rather than neglected." The leaves will break down and turn into ideal garden beds for next spring's plantings.

For fire safety, make sure dead hedges and leaf piles are at least five feet from your house, fence, deck, and other structures. "Keeping piles slightly damp is another good precaution," De Cooke says.

Your space will look more welcoming if pathways are free of leaf piles. It will also prevent you and guests from tromping through any pests.

"In areas where ticks and mice are a concern, clear leaves from high-traffic paths," Phillips says. "And create a buffer zone -- at least six inches -- between leaves and any wood structures to avoid termites."

Begin moving leaves as early as you can in the season so you don't accumulate an unmanageable amount -- and so you don't disturb the pollinators your leaves are protecting.

"Many insects begin settling into leaf litter soon after they fall, especially once temperatures consistently drop into the 50s," De Cooke says. "Disturbing the leaves after that point can have negative impacts on their survival."

And come spring, if leaf piles still remain, resist the urge to move them (say, into a compost pile) right away. "It's best to leave leaf litter undisturbed throughout the winter until temperatures consistently warm, allowing the insects time to emerge," Phillips says. These are the insects you'll need to pollinate your new and improved garden beds!