Cleaning Up the Yard

Stuff We Love

Oct. 14, 2023

While it’s tempting to spend all our free time looking for the best fall color views, sipping cider, and stuffing ourselves with apple and pumpkin treats, we know there’s still some work to do at home before winter comes. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources released a few useful tips about fall yard cleanups…and luckily, they help support our fall-fun lifestyle. First, instead of putting leaves in the landfill, rehome them to your flower beds, where they insulate plants and provide winter homes for everything from turtles to butterflies. Second, hold off on pruning dead plant stems until spring. They also offer habitat for wildlife, including pollinators, and can provide protection for your perennial plants. And third, remember to get a burn permit if you plan to burn any yard waste. Burn permits are required any time the ground isn’t fully covered with snow—and here’s hoping that doesn’t happen for a while yet!