Wow - like JoAnn, I didn't know what pollen looked like either. I guess it's somewhat of a mystery to me - something I hear about related to allergies but that's as far as it has gone.

I too just bagged up a bunch of leaves, then realized my county only accepts leaves in compostable/paper bags. Good for them (us!) and lesson learned but then I had to transport all of the bagged leaves into different bags. Oofda! A lot of work.

I like your ideas with mulching and natural fertilization.