Fall is here, and soon all the leaves will be off the trees. Those trees that we love so much in the summer can now seem like a giant pain. Removing the leaves from your yard is a time-consuming process, especially if your yard is dominated by towering shade trees. These days when we are so busy, it can be difficult to find time to rake up all these leaves. Some believe that you must remove leaves to keep your lawn healthy, while others state that all you need to do is pulverize those leaves into nutrient-rich mulch. Here’s some information to help you decide what’s right for you and your lawn.
Should I Still Rake?
Raking is by far more time consuming a project. Proponents of raking leaves will point out that leaving leaves on the lawn can suffocate the grass and cause disease. Many find that a lawn covered with fallen leaves unsightly. Then there is the issue of what to do with the leaves once you have them raked up. Some municipalities pick them up from the curb from loose piles. Others insist that they are in plastic bags for collection. Some areas still allow burning. All these solutions can be problematic. The leaves are either taking up space in a landfill or causing pollution in the air. A professional landscaping company can remove your leaves for you and dispose of them in the right way.
The Benefits Of Raking
Removing the leaves can be beneficial. A lawn free of leaf debris is:
- more visually pleasing to the eye
- able to breathe without a layer of matted leaves
- receive more sunlight
- reduce the chance of diseases caused by trapped moisture
Can I Just Mow Those Leaves Up?
Many homeowners now choose to mow over the leaves. This is faster than the heavy labor chore of raking. If you choose to mow over your leaves, you will need to ensure that they shredded sufficiently. Most experts recommend mowing them into dime-sized pieces. This allows the grass to stay healthy and exposed to air, water, and sunlight
The Benefits Of Mulching
Mowing your leaves into mulch can be great for your lawn. Mulching can:
- supply valuable nutrients to the grass
- help the lawn retain the right amount of moisture
- protect the environment by not ending up as pollution or in a landfill
- reduce the burden on your municipality’s resources
What’s Right For Your Lawn?
This is a decision you will need to consider carefully. Some properties have so much leaf litter that mulching alone will not work. You will have to assess both your lawn and your personal preferences. Many homeowners simply do not have the time in their schedules to do the job adequately. Calling a landscape company like Campbell & Ferrara, that offers fall clean up services can give you the advice you need to make the best decision for you and your lawn.