It is time to rake up all the leaves, and create a bin so that you can recycle them into an excellent soil conditioner. It is also time to plant bulbs and fall perennials, divide existing perennials, prune shrubs, trees and rose bushes. Autumn gardening is about cleaning up from the summer s bounty, winterizing your tools to ensure they stay in good working condition, and preparing a winter blanket of protection for your plants that are about to enter dormancy. To begin, pull up all garden debris and begin a compost bin. Composting enables you to recycle garden debris and provides excellent soil conditioners for the next planting season.
Nothing is wasted and everything has a purpose.
However, you do not want to add diseased foliage or weeds to your compost. These materials should be discarded in the trash. You want pure organic material in your compost to ensure healthy soil. Rake up small amounts of leaves at a time. Raking smaller amounts prevents lawn damage.