Leave Leaf Litter Alone For Overwintering Insects

Possum haw holly provides landscape color and also attracts songbirds. (Texas A&M AgriLife)

Leave Leaf Litter Alone For Overwintering Insects

Winter greens can help furnish salads into the cooler temperatures. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Leave Leaf Litter Alone For Overwintering Insects

Leaves can be beneficial to overwintering insects if left in piles instead of raking them away. (Laura McKenzie/ Texas A&M AgriLife)

Leave Leaf Litter Alone For Overwintering Insects

Mounding mulch around tree trunks can help protect them against the cold. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Leave Leaf Litter Alone For Overwintering Insects

Citrus does not have to turn completely orange to be ready to eat, but it does give your landscape a pop of color. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Thu, 11/21/2024 - 5:00am

Think twice before cleaning up your leaf litter this fall, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert advises. Whether you shred or rake them, leaving some leaf piles will help pollinators and beneficial insects.“Remember, leaf litter makes great overwintering sites for insects,” said Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist ...

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