There is a rainy season in Washington state. it starts in the fall when warmth is replaced by declining temperatures. the crossover between summer and fall produces some lovely mild days that only gets better. Soon leaves will start changing color, you can see it now. In a few weeks the color will explode then the wind will pick up and the leaves will be shaken down. Every year is different but only slightly. the four seasons will always be with us.

“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 NKJV

our resident garden expert Cisco was asked what the most important thing to do at the onset of winter. The answer is mulch. Put a covering over the ground and that’s what I did on the backyard hill. This hill is problemetic because it is so steep and I’ve tried to beautify it with plants. The exposed earth is subject to erosion and we don’t want the hillside slipping down on us. So today I put bark on bare patches.

Cisco also said that the falling leaves are a good mulch. With each raindrop the soil is disturbed and this can cause erosion a little at a time. Also, the nutrients in the soil gets leached out. We will have several inches of leaves throughout this entire property. I tend to leave the leaves for the reasons Cisco mentioned. I believe the leaves also keep the ground warm. In months the leaves that have fallen will have fertilized the ground. Another good reason not to remove them. The leaves will eventually become pale with no more nutrients left to give. By that time I rake them up and try to groom the yard for beauty. For now bark works until the leaves fall.