Do you really need to rake all those fall leaves? It’s fairly common knowledge that leaves on your lawn can kill your grass and cause more landscaping headaches. But raking and removing leaves is a chore, one that many folks don’t want to spend an entire Saturday doing. Here’s what you need to know about fall leaves and lawn damage and what you need to do next.
How Fall Leaves Damage Your Lawn
A few stray leaves on your lawn are nothing to get worked up about. But when leaves are blanketing large swaths of grass, they might be causing long-term damage. The thick layer of leaves prevents your grass from receiving nutrients and sunlight. If water manages to seep under the leaves to moisten the grass, it might become trapped there and leave your lawn to rot or mold.
There are a whole host of issues that come with fall leaves on your lawn, including:
- Poor airflow and ventilation
- Weakening of the grass
- An increased risk of winter or spring lawn diseases, such as Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, and Blight
Leaving your fall leaves to pile up might mean less work right now, but in the spring you’ll be facing even more labor because your lawn will need additional care.
Best Ways to Get Rid of Fall Leaves for Minimal Lawn Damage
Raking, bagging, and mulching might not be your favorite things to do, but it’s a necessary part of homeownership and good lawn stewardship. With this in mind, what is the best way to get rid of your leaves? Here are a few methods to consider:
Bagging
The most labor-intensive method, bagging leaves is also one of the most effective approaches. Instead of using a rake, try piling leaves with a leaf blower. Then, start scooping and bagging so that your fresh piles don’t blow all over your yard. You can use paper bags instead of plastic ones if you plan on letting the leaves decompose to use as mulch later.
Mowing & Mulching
Using a lawnmower to chop up leaves and let them turn into mulch is a favorite method because it knocks out two chores in one fell swoop. If you have a ton of leaves to remove, this is by far the fastest and most direct way. However, this method only works well if your chopped leaves become spread out over your lawn. Even though they’re smaller, a high leaf concentration can still suffocate your yard. Keep in mind, some tree leaves including oak and maple contain a higher acid content. Mulching them can possibly change the ph in the soil and may require a neutralizer to stabilize it.
Burning
Burning leaves is a typical fall “fragrance,” something that many folks look forward to. Leaves burn quickly, and you can use the ash as fertilizer. Try to keep your burn pile contained and never leave it unattended. The best way to burn leaves is to use a large metal drum to contain the ash and embers. Also, be prepared for lots of smoke, especially if your leaves are mixed with pine straw. Wear face protection to avoid smoke getting into your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Hire It Done
There’s another option to get rid of fall leaves if none of the above options sound enticing — Hire a landscaping company to give your yard the perfect fall treatment! It’s best to wait until most of your leaves are down before calling a leaf removal service.
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