Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Lethbridge forecast shows sunshine and double-digit afternoons for most of the coming week, with highs of 13 on Friday and 17 on Saturday and Sunday. That’s a good window to finish the garden before winter settles in.
One of the most useful fall jobs costs nothing at all: putting your fallen leaves to work.
Why leaves are worth keeping
A layer of leaves over garden beds acts like a blanket. It helps hold moisture in the soil, softens the swings between freezing and thawing, and slowly breaks down into food for next year’s plants. In a dry, windy place like southern Alberta, covering bare soil over winter makes a real difference.
How to do it
- Shred them first. Whole leaves can mat into a soggy layer. Running the lawn mower over a pile chops them small so they stay put and break down faster.
- Spread a layer several centimetres deep over perennial beds and around shrubs. Keep it a hand’s width back from stems and trunks.
- Leave some stems standing. Perennial stalks and seed heads catch snow, which insulates roots. They also give birds something to eat and insects a place to shelter.
- Start a pile. Extra leaves make a great base for compost. Layer them with garden trimmings and let winter do the rest.
- Skip sick plants. Leaves and stems from plants that had disease this year are best kept out of your beds and compost.
Mind Thursday’s wind
The forecast calls for a west wind of 40 km/h gusting to 70 near noon on Thursday. Dry, loose leaves won’t stay where you put them in that. Today, Friday or the weekend are better bets. A light sprinkle of water after spreading helps the layer settle, and a few branches or garden netting laid on top can hold it in place.
Still watering trees before freeze-up? Our post on giving your trees a deep drink covers how. When you’re done, drain and coil the hose and put it away before the next hard frost.
For more seasonal jobs around the house and garden, see our Home and Yard page.