By Wilma R. Penland
As children along with our dogs we liked jumping into piles of leaves, crunching through them, or throwing handfuls in the air. My folks used them as bedding for farm animals. Leaves were composted and used to enrich the garden. Oak leaves were used to mulch trees and shrubs especially azaleas and rhododendron.
Leaves later were sometimes viewed as trash. They were removed to neaten the lawn and hauled away to the landfill or sometimes burned (ugh!). Thankfully, leaves are “cool” again as we become aware of their benefits. Many pollinators depend on them as places to overwinter eggs, caterpillars, and pupae. Birds scratch through them for food in winter. Gently raking leaves into unmaintained areas and flower beds helps add organic matter, protect pollinators, and keeps them out of the landfill.
As trees began to leaf out in spring/summer there seemed to be an abundance of lush foliage this year. I have heard many comments this fall such as “this is the most colorful leaf season I have seen”. There is a beauty, too, in fallen leaves on the ground under a tree – the color only lasts a short time but can be stunning!
An Autumn Poem by staff member Joel Cole…
In the spring fresh and green
I saw you below and waved
But unseen you walked on by
In summer I sang to you in the warm breeze
Again you walked on by
Now fall, I fell into your hand
You held me and wished for longer days
I’ll return to wave and sing again
Just wait…
Wilma R. Penland is the co-founder of Reems Creek Nursery and our horticultural mentor.