Managing Fall Leaves

Leaves are always present in the landscape, especially in the fall and winter. The information below will help explain best practices for leaf management. Fall brings cooler temperatures and a changing landscape.

One of the most significant and beautiful changes that come with cooler temperatures is the turning of the leaves. These stunning colors are also one of the biggest headaches homeowners deal with! Leaves left on your lawn can be good and bad, it all depends on how you manage them.

The Good:

• Moisture retention – in the fall we need moisture retention, especially if your lawn has been aerated and seeded. These existing leaves can significantly reduce the amount of watering needed.
• Soil conditioner – when mowed, leaves are reduced in size and will decompose more quickly. Over time, these leaves help increase your lawn’s soil organic matter, release nutrients, improve soil structure, and feed beneficial soil microorganisms. Research has shown that leaves left unmulched take years to decompose, while mulched leaves take 3-6 months. Of course, these windows vary on environmental factors and the thickness of the leaf pile. When mowing your lawn, it’s always a good idea to mow over the leaves and leave them as leaf mulch. This process returns beneficial nutrients and compounds to the soil.
• Habitat for wildlife – beneficial insects and worms are grateful for the leaf cover in the fall and winter, especially when temperatures cool oY as they provide a layer of insulation.

The Bad:

• The grass is smothered – if the layer of leaves is too thick, the grass is unable to breathe. Sunlight is blocked and moisture cannot be regulated. These two factors alone can cause the grass plant to die.
• Increased pest pressure – excessive, wet leaves can promote an environment that attracts harmful bugs and fungus. If left unchecked, these can lead to eventual lawn death.
• Delayed Spring growth – if a mat or piles of leaves are left on the lawn over the winter, spring growth can be impacted. That’s assuming the grass under these mats or piles is still alive! So how do you balance leaf management in your lawn? Below are recommendations that will help guide you through the fall and winter months.
• Mowing practices – this is a delicate balance. We encourage you to mulch the leaves that are present on the lawn. This will speed their decomposition and help return the needed compounds and nutrients to the soil. That said, if your lawn is fully covered, we encourage moving 50% of the leaves oY the lawn before mowing. A natural area is always a good place to move them. Once there, you can mulch them with your mower and leave them in place. Another option is to move them to your driveway and mulch with your mower. Once mulched, you can use them as a bed ground cover in your landscaped beds, or garden; they’re an excellent organic carbon source. If neither is an option, bag them for municipality take-away!
• Composting – leaves are an excellent source of carbon and provide a food source for decomposer organisms. When mixed at the correct ratio with nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and food waste, compost piles will be a healthy system. In 2-6 months, you’ll have compost that can be used as a soil amendment, mulch, and potting mix!
• Raking – be gentle! Especially in newly seeded lawns. New lawns have shallow root systems, and raking will easily pull grass plants out of the ground. It’s best to rake the lawn after you’ve mowed at least 4 times. This ensures enough time has been given to allow for proper plant maturation and root development. Until then, using a handheld blower to gently move the leaves, is highly recommended.

Don’t let leaf season get you down. With the right approach and proper management, leaves can be an asset to your property! Contact us for expert advice on managing your fall and winter lawn care.