To the editor:
It’s that time of year again, when the leaf blowers are at play.
I won’t belabor the most obvious effect—the disturbing of the municipal peace. Rather, there is another concern regarding leaf blowers—less audible but equally important—which I, as a gardener and naturalist, feel strongly about. It is how they compromise the landscape. Nature intended for leaves to blanket the ground in the winter to nourish and protect the soil. Over time, scouring the ground with what amounts to a gale force wind comes at a considerable cost to soil, and to the very lawns which this whole process is intended to benefit and showcase.
Like many Lincolnites, I take great pride in my garden, but let me suggest another way to honor this endeavor. If you mow and mulch the leaves directly on to your lawn, you will produce the same happy result—minus the noise and plus this bonus: free fertilizer. Any leftover leaves can be raked under your shrubs and trees, providing further benefits—no store-bought mulch required. Furthermore, you can sit back and watch the grateful birds scratch through those leaves for sustenance.
I urge my clients not to confuse their gardens with their living rooms. Stray leaves and twigs are not an insult to good housekeeping. I’m told I’m a bit evangelical on this issue, but healthy landscapes and tranquil autumn moments are a part of the life that has drawn us all out here, and it is in our interest to protect this precious heritage
Sincerely,
Robin Wilkerson (member of the Lincoln Leaf Blower Study Committee)
31 Old Winter St.
Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.
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