Raking leaves doesn’t have to be boring. While looking at the bright crimson leaves from the maple tree, I hit upon an idea. Most of the leaves in my yard, after they have fallen, are a shade of yellow. The featured image photo shows my neighbor’s maple with a bright red circle on the ground. It helped inspire me – I could rake some of the leaves in contrasting colors.
After they were tilled under, the raised beds at the far end of the picnic area were just bare dirt. I had always intended to cover them with a blanket of leaves for the winter. The leaves will partially decompose and then be turned into the soil come Spring, providing rich nutrients to the flowers I will plant.
I first put down a layer of yellow leaves on the entire bed, followed by a smaller semi-circle of red leaves. Instant large scale art! The effect will fade over time, as the leaves will turn brown with age and exposure to sunlight. In the meantime, I have a little bit of whimsical color to brighten this cloudy and rainy day.
