Fallen leaves are a soft blanket that covers our winter garden. Let the garden rest, leave the leaves. Butterflies and moths roll leaves around themselves into over wintering shelters. Amphibians burrow into the leaves to sleep through the winter protected by this thick layer of insulation. On warm spring days, just watch what emerges from the leafy blankets. Sometimes I can find a sleepy spring bumble bee and hold it in my hand while it warms up enough to begin a day of pollinating my flowers.
Some of the insects and animals dependent on fallen leaves:
American bumble bee
Checkerspot butterfly
Fritillary butterfly
Luna moth
Promethea moth
Wood frog
American toad
Spotted salamander
Ring neck snake
Box turtle
Red bat
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