There are two schools of thought when it comes to managing leaf litter at this time of year. Some people believe in leaving leaf litter as natural mulch on perennial beds and to provide habitat for beneficial insects. Others believe in removing dead leaves to prevent disease and discourage pests. But did you know that piles of dead leaves and other plant refuse create a breeding ground for ticks? I didn’t! This past spring, while we were all confined to our homes, I was cleaning the layer of leaves left the … (read more)