Many people in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest will spend a lot of money raking up leaves and then buying mulch this fall and in the spring. Before you do that consider going green and working with what Mother Nature has provided.
 
Remember that those leaves falling off the trees contain all the nutrients that your shrubs and lawn need. Think of the forest, no one fertilizes it. But those leaves over time decompose and release all the nutrients needed. So before you rake up those leaves, think seriously about reusing them in your yard by shredding them.

Here's how. If you have a leaf blower, it may come with a reverse setting and a collection bag. Instead of blowing your leaves to the curb for pick up, just suck them up and let your blower shred them. Then use the shredded leaves as a mulch.

Now if your leaf blower does not come with a reverse setting or you need more mulch, don't head down to the Garden Store just yet. First check with your County. All the leaves and trees that they collect as yard waste end up as mulch and are usually available for free or a nominal fee. In Arlington County, Virginia, they'll even deliver it to county residents for a nominal fee. Your community may do so too. So call them.

So which mulch to choose. There are usually two kinds of mulch available: leaf and shredded mulch. We like the leaf mulch since it is more natural and closer to what happens in nature. Whatever you do, stay away from those artificially colored mulches and the ones made of of recycled tires. They're not too good for your plants and trees.

By the way, if you have to bag up your leaves then save some money by asking your county if they have leaf paper bags. Some counties do and they are free. Here's a good article about using leaves to mulch your garden courtesy of WTOP News in Washington DC. 

Finally, don't forget to enjoy the Autumn Colors. See the Foliage Network to find out where the leaves are turning.