Collect and shred fallen leaves from trees with a lawnmower to remove them off a lawn to avoid damaging the lawn turf.

Fallen evergreen needles provide a natural weed barrier under their respective plants. Avoid disturbing this natural benefit.

If spare fallen needle straw can be procured for other jobs around the landscape, they can be incorporated into vegetable garden soil and around herbaceous perennials plants, shrubs and trees.

Wood shavings and clean forms of straw and hay are great mulch sources as well. Avoid using wood shavings from treated lumber sources.

Whole leaves tend to not stay in place and can create accidental moldy layers that take longer to break down compared to shredded leaves.

Cut healthy garden plants off at the soil base to allow the roots to naturally decompose in the soil to improve beneficial soil microbial populations.

Healthy garden foliage above the soil line can be added to compost piles that will create productive compost for the next gardening season.

Shredded leaves, compost and healthy garden plants can be incorporated into the vegetable garden soil to help increase organic matter content and improve soil drainage.

Applying thin layers of newsprint, non-glossy paper and thin cardboard as a base on bare soil before adding mulch can help smother out weed competition in flower and landscape beds.

Place up to a 2-inch layer in flower and landscape beds around perennials plants after herbaceous perennials have died back and woody perennials have gone dormant for the winter.