Why Montanans Should Stop Raking Leaves This Fall

Maybe it’s time Montanans rethink the way they take care of their lawns. Over the past few years, there has been a movement for delaying mowing our lawns in the spring.  

“No Mow May” is a small step that can have some big benefits for our ecosystem. If you don’t mow your lawn until June, it gives pollinators a chance to feed and do their job and it helps our planet.  

What Is “No Mow May” and Why It Matters

Caring for and maintaining a lawn can be expensive and a chore. There is something you can do every fall and it will help to keep your lawn fed through the winter. A bonus is that it will keep tons of debris out of our local landfills too.  

READ MORE: No Mow May in Montana

We asked our listeners what’s one of the worst things about fall in Montana? Raking leaves is one of the chores that people hate the most in the fall. Now is the time to consider not raking and throwing away those leaves.  

The National Wildlife Federation, NFW, recommends letting the leaves stay.  

Fall leaves can be a home for many different animals, from earthworms to chipmunks. Lots of insects use those leaves for homes. 94% of pollinating moth species, use leaves to complete their life cycle. Without the leaves, they are in danger.

How Leaves Protect Wildlife and Pollinators

Birds also feed on the insects that use the leaf layer as their home. 

Leaves as Natural Fertilizer for Montana Lawns

Not only can leaves add a natural fertilizer for your lawns, but not raking also keeps millions of pounds of waste out of our landfills. Over 10 million tons of solid waste and lawn clippings are put in landfills every year. 

READ MORE: Montana Lawn Care Tips from an Expert

The NWF recommends leaving your leaves where they fall. If that is too much for your lawn, you can mulch the leaves and use them in your flower beds or gardens.

If you can let your leaves lie where they fall, and don't mow until June, that gives you more time to enjoy spring and fall in Montana.