Life in the Leaf Litter ~ Leave the Leaves
Ann Cicarella
We love the beautiful fall foliage, but once those leaves fall into our gardens, we are gripped with the urge to blow every leaf away and cut back all our plants. But we know so much more now about what the duff layer provides in terms of both food and shelter to bacteria, fungi and tiny invertebrates, such as earthworms, snails and millipedes, who make a huge contribution to nutrient recycling. Tiny litter pieces are chemically converted into soluable chemicals and minerals resulting in nitrogen, calcium and sulfur. These important nutrients are then recycled and used again as food for trees and plants.
Luna moths and spicebush swallowtails disguise their cocoons and chrysalises as dried leaves. Red-banded hairstreaks lay their eggs on fallen oak leaves, which become the the first food once the caterpillars hatch. Mated queen bumble bees burrow only an inch or two into the earth or under a fallen branch to hibernate for the winter. Many native bees nest in stem stubble. And we all know that songbirds feed on the seedheads of echinacea, cup plant, rudbeckia and many more. Please share the planet!
