Key Points
Leaves left in garden beds act as natural mulch, improving soil health, insulation, and habitats for pollinators.Rake leaves if plants are diseased, pests are an issue, or you’re growing small or reseeding plants.In spring, thin heavy leaf layers to boost airflow and prevent smothering new growth.
Leaf raking in fall can seem like a never-ending task. You’ve no sooner raked up a pile than more are falling across your garden at a rapid rate. While there are times when leaf raking is better for your landscape, the good news is that you don’t always need to rake out the rake.
We asked the experts when you need to rake leaves out of garden beds and when it’s worth leaving those leaves lying.
Meet the Expert
Joe Masabni, PhD, is a Professor and Extension Vegetable Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Dallas.
Dr. Sara Salgado MacDonald is the Urban Horticulture Agent with UF/IFAS Extension in St. Lucie County.
Heather Zidack is a Horticultural Outreach Educator in the Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture, UConn Home & Garden Education Center, University of Connecticut.
Benefits of Keeping Leaves in Garden Beds
In most instances, you don’t need to rake leaves out of garden beds. Unlike lawns, which can be smothered and damaged by a thick layer of leaves, a covering of foliage can be beneficial for the soil, plants, and ecosystem in your garden beds.
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Sustainable, Budget-Friendly Mulch
Heather Zidack, Horticultural Outreach Educator, stresses the importance of covering the soil in your garden beds. She explains that you can use leaves, straw, bark mulch, or a living ground cover.
“Leaves, in particular, offer the benefit of sustainability, as they fall from the trees and shrubs you’ve already grown and renew themselves yearly,” she says.
Improves Soil Structure
A layer of leaf mulch serves to stabilize the soil temperature, improve soil structure, retain moisture, and help prevent erosion.
“As the leaves break down, they add nutrients to the soil and promote a healthy soil microbiome,” Zidack says.
Provides Winter Insulation
A layer of leaves in your garden is an excellent way to insulate the soil.
“The leaf layer helps protect plant roots during those colder months,” Urban Horticulture Agent Dr. Sara Salgado Macdonald says.
This is especially important for shallow-rooted species. They’re more susceptible to damage from frost heaving and soil temperature fluctuations.
Habitat for Pollinators
Zidack explains that undisturbed fallen leaves in garden beds can provide an excellent overwinter habitat for beneficial insects and invertebrates.
“If you have a native/pollinator garden, this is an opportunity to provide that habitat resources for them,” she says.
When to Rake Leaves Out of Garden Beds
There are times when raking leaves out of garden beds is preferable or necessary.
For Cosmetic Reasons
You might feel that a layer of rotting leaves doesn’t look all that attractive in your tidy flower beds.
However, Extension Vegetable Specialist Joe Masabni explains that you don’t necessarily have to remove the beneficial layer of leaves.
“I would suggest adding a new layer of fresh mulch, such as wood chips [on top], which are more pleasant to look at,” he says.
To Reduce the Risk of Spreading Disease
If you have diseased plants, rake out the affected leaves and use an alternative mulch.
“Doing this may help to reduce or eliminate the need for fungicide treatment in the next growing season by keeping disease pressure in check,” Zidack says. “For example, lilacs this year saw a lot of fungal disease in our area, including early leaf drop.”
Salgado MacDonald recommends raking leaves in spring to thin them out, once the risk of frost has passed and new growth emerges.
“At this point, a thick or compacted layer of leaves can block sunlight and air circulation, potentially smothering perennials or trapping excess moisture that encourages fungal diseases,” she says.
To Reduce Problematic Pests
“While it’s a benefit to provide overwintering habitat, keep in mind that undesirable insect pests may also use the same leaf piles that our beneficial insects do,” Zidack says.
If you’re trying to keep ticks, ants or other problematic pests at bay, raking leaves may be preferable.
When Growing Small Plants
Tall perennials typically won’t have a problem when there is a thick layer of leaves. However, it could be a problem when you’re growing ground-hugging plant species.
“In fall, you can leave a light, airy layer of leaves in garden beds, but avoid allowing them to pile up too thickly, especially around plant crowns,” Salgado MacDonald says. “Another good approach is to combine leaves with [another] mulch, keeping the total layer about 2 to 3 inches deep.”
She recommends keeping the area immediately around the plant stems or crowns clear, by about 1 to 2 inches, to prevent rot and allow airflow.
When Germinating Seeds
A thick layer of leaves can prevent or delay the germination of annual seeds.
“Say, for example, you let your marigolds reseed every year; that dense layer may smother those desired seedlings,” Zidack says. “If possible, shred leaves before application, or consider a partial leaf removal to prevent dense, matted coverings.”
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