Letter: Keep the leaves and share the pumpkins

As we approach another season, I wanted to share two thoughts and suggestions.

The leaves have fallen and most people spend hours raking them up for the city to collect, mix with dirt and sell them back to us as compost in the spring. Since nutrients from the soil are pulled up into the tree's leaves during the spring many homeowners are throwing away much needed fertilizer for their lawns. Better to compost the leaves or leave some of them on the lawn.

Another wonderful remainder of fall are pumpkins. Many of these end up in the garbage or the green compost bins. If your yard is frequented by deer, please break the pumpkins open after you have enjoyed them and set them out for the deer. They will eat the insides now and when food is scarce later in the winter they will eat the rind.

Noralee Sherwood

Cedar Rapids