What Can You Do with the Leaves on Your Lawn?
What can you do with the leaves has been an ongoing question at my home. Our backyard is at the bottom of a tree-covered 50-foot hill. You can guess where most of the leaves fall. They land in my backyard. So, what do I do with all those leaves? I’ve mowed, composed, raked, blown them up the hill, hired someone to remove them, and even burned them once when the local fire dept. gave me a warning ticket. It’s against local ordinances to burn leaves. Now I know.
So, What Can You Do with the Leaves?
Leaves can be a valuable source of nutrients for your lawn. “What’s needed here is an attitude adjustment! Autumn leaves don’t have to become trash. On the contrary, they easily can be turned into valuable soil-enhancing organic matter. There are several ways to manage tree leaves at home.” — Purdue Ag — Fall Leaves Are Treasure, Not Trash. Here are some tips for dealing with leaves in the fall.
Mow over the leaves
If you have a light covering of leaves on your lawn, you can mow over them with a mulching mower. This will chop the leaves into small pieces that will decompose quickly and provide nutrients to your lawn.
Compost the leaves
If you have a heavier leaves covering, you can rake them into a compost pile. You can use the compost in your garden or flower beds to improve soil quality.
Use a leaf blower
If you have a large yard with many trees, using a leaf blower can efficiently clear the leaves from your lawn. You can then use the leaves for mulch or compost.
Pro Tip: Avoid leaving large piles of leaves on your lawn. Large piles of leaves can smother your lawn and create dead spots. Make sure to spread the leaves evenly or remove them entirely from your lawn.
How Often Should You Get Rid of the Leaves?
Removing the leaves from your lawn regularly is essential in the fall to prevent them from smothering the grass and blocking sunlight. The frequency depends on how many leaves are on your lawn. If, like my yard, your lawn is covered in leaves, removing them at least once a week is best. However, if there are only a few leaves, you can wait a little longer before removing them.
Pro Tip: Leaving a small layer of shredded leaves on your lawn can provide nutrients to the soil and improve its overall health.
How Can Leaves Be Used Other Than Mulch or Compost?
There are several other uses for leaves besides mulch or compost. Here are a few ideas.
Make leaf mold
This is compost made entirely from leaves. It takes longer to break down than regular compost, but it’s worth the wait because it’s rich in nutrients and helps improve soil structure.
Add Insulation to your flower beds
I do this every year on my backyard flower beds. If you have a garden bed that needs protection from the cold, you can use leaves as insulation. Pile them up around the bed, and they’ll help keep the soil warm.
Create garden pathways
I’ve created pathways behind my fence in the woods. If you have a lot of leaves, you can use them to create pathways in your garden. Rake them into a path and then cover them with wood chips or gravel to keep them in place.
Nutrients for houseplants
Why not use some shredded leaves to feed your houseplants? You can use shredded leaves as mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Art projects
If you’re feeling creative, you can use leaves to make all sorts of art projects, from leaf rubbings to leaf collages. I like to make autumn wreaths. I start with grapevine I shape into a hoop, then add leaves, spice berries, and pinecones.
Remember that if you decide to use leaves for fertilization purposes, it’s important to shred them first to help them break down more quickly.
By effectively managing the leaves on your lawn in the fall, you can help ensure a healthy and vibrant lawn come springtime.
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If we can answer any questions about the leaves on your lawn, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management
Photo Credit — Yep, that’s my backyard.
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