How to deal with "bare dirt" (grow, grass, trees)

[LionLady]

Hi!
We've just moved into a beautiful 1980s home that is surrounded by trees and is on a slope. The front yard is pretty steep, and the back of the house is shaded by mature oaks and other hardwoods. The previous homeowner evidently followed that 'bare earth' policy of yard care. He removed leaves from the sparse grass and as a result the red clay has been pounded by rain and weather into rock hardness.

I'd like to naturalize the yard and let moss, etc grow where its too shady for grass, but I need help. Do I let leaves stay on the bare dirt? I'm also fighting my husband who is a surburban "lawn" care person, and leaves and such offend him (they look messy). I've got to convince him that letting leaves lay is GOOD if we want o renew the soil. Unless that isn't the best course?

P

[shadowfax]

Letting the leaves lay is really the best thing. However if DH is very opposed try letting him rake them but then put them through a shredder and mix them in with some mulch and then mulch the entire area. It is going to take a while to get the topsoil built back up and the mulch will provide some protection from the elements while appealing to the manicured yard city dud you are living with.

[Bulldogdad]

Leave the leaves.