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Nicole Michalik

You Don’t Need to Rake Your Leaves This Fall!

Author Nicole Michalik
Photo taken in Barrington, United States

Good news, experts say, you don’t!  Not sure how your neighbors or your HOA will feel about this, but you can pull up the article and say, look, here’s proof.   Fun fact, I remember one time when I was in grade school, I had to be 7-8, I walked to the local park with my best friend Amber and we filled two garbage bags full of leaves and brought them back to my yard so we could play in them.  I didn’t get then why my parents were upset, but I sure do now.  I’m going to tell them I knew it was good for the environment back then.  🙂

Here are the details from USA Today:

Leaving at least some of the leaves in your yard can help fertilize your grass and other plants, provide shelter for animals and even reduce emissions from landfills.  “The leaves fall around the root zone of these plants, where they do things like suppress weeds or other plants from growing that would otherwise compete with the trees and the shrubs,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist at the National Wildlife Federation, told USA TODAY.  Landfills in 2018 received about 10.5 million tons of yard clippings, including leaves, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency. Mizejewski said leaves and other organic matter sent to landfills can break down and form methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Pennsylvania Has One of the Top 'Secret Places' in America to See Fall Foliage

Fall is upon us, and that means it’s time to start planning out your fall foliage travels. Here in Pennsylvania, we have plenty of incredible spots to take in the colorful fall leaves. We’re really lucky, in that sense, so have such a beautiful autumn landscape.

So, what if you want to visit an area of the state that’s isn’t an obvious one for fall colors? Maybe you would even call it a “secret” place. Well, the crew at BestLifeOnline.com has done the work for you and put together a list of the 10 best “secret places” in the U.S. to see fall foliage. “Summer’s end signals the last days of warm weather in most areas,” they state in the article. “But it also means the return of fall’s dazzling colors in full display as trees begin to turn for the season. You can plan entire trips around leaf peeping, whether it’s heading to a national park for unimpeded foliage or planning a drive to take in the dazzling orange, red, and yellow hues that dominate the landscape. And while the pastime is popular enough to drive crowds to well-known viewing destinations, there are still plenty of under-the-radar options for getting your fix.”

So, which Pennsylvania spot is considered one of the best “secret places” to take in autumn? There are plenty of options in our state, but read on for the full list of the 10 best cities in the U.S. to view fall foliage, according to BestLifeOnline.com. Find more information on all of the areas here. I will say that the No. 1 spot is not in our state- it’s in Julian, California. That town is about an hour east of San Diego and considered the best in America to not only see the fall colors but also participate in fall-themed activities.

  • 10. Charlottesville, Virginia

    Charlottesville, VA | Official Website

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  • 9. Fort Payne, Alabama

    Fort Payne, Alabama - The City of Fort Payne

    Community Info Business Info Things to Do Welcome to Fort Payne, Alabama From the valley to Lookout Mountain, we take pride in our natural beauty and all that it contributes to our quality of life. Our leadership continues to look forward with a

  • 8. Portland, Oregon

    Portland, Oregon - The Official City Guide

    Make a pilgrimage to the world's largest indie bookstore, discover local art, wander peaceful gardens, taste something completely new and more in Portland.

  • 7. Bar Harbor, Maine

    Visit Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

    Bar Harbor, Maine is the gateway to Acadia National Park, one of America's most visited national parks, and the largest community on Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor is the heart of island activity, including lodging, shopping, and dining. Visitors from around the world come to Bar Harbor to experience the region's dramatic, varied scenery.

  • 6. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

    Destination Gettysburg: Official Guide to Gettysburg, PA

    Plan your trip to Gettysburg and experience more than civil war history and the Gettysburg Battlefield. Find fun things to do, dining, lodging and more.

  • 5. Brooklyn, New York

    New York City Tourism + Conventions | Explore the Top Things to Do in NYC

    Discover the neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems of New York City Tourism + Conventions | Explore the Top Things to Do in NYC with NYC Tourism.

  • 4. Litchfield Hills, Connecticut

    Discover Litchfield Hills | Things to do and Places to go!

    The 21 towns of the Litchfield Hills - where you can Find the Arts, Eat Local, Take a Hike, Sleepover and so much more.

  • 3. Mackinac Island, Michigan

    Mackinac Island

    Mackinac Island is the truly "all natural" theme park of America. Limited to transportation of horse and buggy, bicycle or foot, surrounded by water, it has escaped the vast changes of time.

  • 2. Denver, Colorado

    Denver Colorado Vacations & Conventions | Plan Your Trip

    Explore things to do, hotels, restaurants & more in Denver. Find all the info you need to start planning your trip or meeting. Download our Visitors Guide!

  • 1. Julian, California

    Julian, California

    Discover Julian, California, the historic gold-mining town in the Cuyamuca Mountains above the Colorado Desert. Famous for apple pies.

  • Source

    This list if via BestLifeOnline.com.

Nicole Michalik is the afternoon drive host on 925XTU. She has been with the station for the past 5 years and was named CRS New Face of Country Music. Nicole always had a strong love for pop-culture and has been working in entertainment since her college internship. As a content creator for 925XTU, Nicole writes articles on Philly happenings, sports, celebrity relationships, pop culture moments and anything else she finds fun and exciting!

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