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.

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.

Krista De Cooke, strategic partnership and science lead for Homegrown National Park

L.Be Laskowski-Sholar, founder and CEO of the Wildstead Company

Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federat

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