Leave the leaves
Help pollinators, soil and small urban wildlife by leaving leaves on the ground over winter.
It’s an easy way to support a healthy environment in your own yard.
On this page:
Why it helps
Leaving your leaves:
- creates natural shelter for pollinators and small animals
- adds organic matter that builds healthy soil
- acts as a natural mulch that helps control weeds and keep moisture in your garden
- saves you time – no need to worry about leaf pickup schedules
How to leave the leaves
Try one or more of these approaches:
- rake leaves onto your garden beds to protect them over winter
- mulch leaves into your lawn to feed the soil
- leave light layers of leaves under trees and shrubs for wildlife habitat
Spring clean-up
You’ll have fewer leaves to manage in spring. For any extra, use the Region's yard waste collection or take them to the landfill.
Learn more
Find more information on the benefit on leaving the leaves:
- Why you should leave the leaves - David Suzuki Foundation
- Conservation group encourages people to leave their leaves on the ground - Nature Conservancy Canada
- Leave the leaves! - The Xerces Society for the Invertebrate Conservation