Burning or burying leaves harms soil health.

 

Let the Soil Breathe and Regenerate 

By Komal Jaiswal

Permaculture Practitioner | Soil Lab Owner | Founder, Greenaffair

I may not be a scientist in the traditional sense, but I do run a soil lab. I work closely with farmers, with the land, and most importantly — with living soil. Over the years, I’ve realized that the way we treat dry leaves, crop residues, and organic matter says a lot about how we view the earth beneath our feet.

Too often, we’re in a hurry to “clean up” — either by burning the organic matter or burying it into the soil, thinking we’re doing something good.

But nature doesn’t work that way. And neither should we.

The Harm in Burning

Burning dry leaves, twigs, or crop waste might feel like an easy fix — but it’s a short-term solution with long-term damage.

• It destroys valuable organic carbon that the soil desperately needs.

• It kills soil organisms, especially the ones living in the top few centimeters.

• It pollutes the air, contributing to respiratory problems and environmental degradation.

• And it sends a dangerous message: that what is natural and biodegradable is somehow “waste.”

As someone who works daily to measure and restore soil health, I see the loss immediately — burnt soil loses life. And once that living biology is gone, yields follow.

Why Burying Isn’t the Answer Either

It may sound better, but burying organic matter is not the solution either.

Here’s why:

When you bury dry leaves, especially in heavy or compacted soils, oxygen doesn’t reach them.

• The decomposition turns anaerobic, releasing gases like methane and ammonia — both harmful to soil structure and root development.

• Beneficial fungi, arthropods, and microbes that thrive in the surface layer can’t access that material.

• Instead of nourishing the soil, buried matter often rots and creates imbalance.

I’ve seen this firsthand in soil samples — sour pockets, imbalanced microbes, and distressed roots, all due to well-intentioned but misguided “soil enrichment.”

Nature’s Way: Surface Mulch and Slow Breakdown

In the forest, no one clears the floor. Leaves fall. Branches rest. Over time, they turn into a rich, living layer of humus, feeding the ecosystem from the top down.

This is not laziness. This is intelligence — nature’s quiet, patient intelligence.

When we let organic matter break down on the surface:

• It protects the soil from sun and erosion.

• It retains moisture during dry spells.

• It feeds fungi, bacteria, and earthworms in a natural sequence.

• It adds fertility without disturbing the ecosystem.

So What Should We Do?

As someone who moves between fields and lab reports, my message is simple:

• Leave the dry leaves on the surface — use them as mulch.

• Compost consciously — don’t treat it as dumping, but as layering.

• Trust the process — it’s slow, but sustainable.

• Observe your soil — you’ll see the difference within one season.

Conclusion: Respect Organic Matter — It’s Soil’s Wealth, Not Waste

We don’t need to interfere so much. We need to participate — with care.

When you don’t burn and don’t bury, you’re not being careless. You’re being regenerative.

Let the fungi feed. Let the insects crawl. Let the earthworms return.

Because when we step back, nature steps in.

Komal Jaiswal

“Soil speaks. We just need to listen — and stop interrupting.”