This fall, as you’re raking, you may find yourself asking, “What should I do with all of my leaves?” It’s a question as old as time (ok, as old as raking). We’re here to help you figure out if you should rake, mulch, or just leave them be.
Mulch the Leaves
Mulching your fall leaves can prove to be a great asset to your landscaping. Running your leaves over with a lawn mower mulches them, letting you place them in landscape beds around shrubs and trees.
A 2-inch layer of shredded leaves turns the landscape bed into a soft brown mulch by spring. The mulch helps reduce weeds and retains soil moisture for next summer.
Perk: Shredded leaves break down faster and are less likely to blow around by the wind.
Rake the Leaves
You can always rake the leaves if you don’t want to shred them. Rake your leaves into your garden, a few inches deep, and then till them in. When you till in the leaves, it improves the tilth (the physical condition of soil and its suitability for growing crops, seeds, and plants), drainage, and organic matter.
Perk: By tilling in your leaves, the wind won’t be able to blow them anywhere.
Make Leaf Mold
Did you know that leaf mold can be used as mulch or saved as a carbon source for adding to your compost pile in the summer? Put your leaves in garbage bags with small holes; this will allow the leaves to break down naturally. If you wet the leaves and have the holes in direct contact with the earth (microbes come into play here), it will speed up the decomposition process.
Never Let the Leaves Just Be
Always shred your leaves if you are planning to use them or leave them in your landscape. Leaving leaves whole mats down the area, trapping excess moisture underneath, as well as not allowing water and air to reach the soil.
Get Your Yard Ready for Winter
Whichever method you choose, managing fall leaves is an important part of preparing your yard for winter. If your lawn and landscape beds need a little extra attention, Sweeney’s Custom Landscaping is here to help! From clearing away leaves to tidying up your landscape, our team can get your landscape ready for the cold months ahead. Contact us today to schedule your fall cleanup before spots fill up!