WeedMan Banner Image

Mulch, Don’t Rake!

Sep 23, 2024

mulch your lawn

Why You Should Mulch Your Leaves This Fall

Having trees in your yard is great for shade during the summer, but come fall, the sea of leaves can feel overwhelming. Your lawn gets covered in a bed of dead leaves, and every time you rake, it feels like they instantly reappear. Raking leaves is a hassle, time-consuming, and can be difficult if you have a large yard. Well, we have some good news! Hang up your rake and rev up your lawnmower.

Mulch With Your Mower

You already have to mow your lawn, so why not tackle two tasks at once? Mulching your leaves is not only easier but also more environmentally friendly and healthier for your lawn. The shredded leaves break down and decompose, improving your soil and adding nutrients back into your turf through a natural recycling process. Be sure to remove the grass catcher from your mower so the leaves can remain on your lawn.

Do Not Let Leaves Sit Over the Winter

However, do not let all your leaves sit over the winter. It’s okay to let some remain, but if more than 10-20% of your lawn is covered, you’ll need to mulch them. Allowing too many leaves to sit through winter will suffocate your turf and can cause snow mold. Leaves left behind can also restrict airflow and sunlight, inhibiting growth. This can leave your lawn looking unhealthy in the spring. Remember, prep for your spring lawn starts in the fall!

Raking Works Too

While mulching has many benefits, raking works too if that’s your preference! It’s more labour-intensive, and you’ll miss out on some of the benefits of mulching, such as adding organic material back into your soil. However, whether you rake or mulch, it’s better than leaving the leaves over the winter, as they can make your lawn susceptible to disease. If you have dense leaf coverage from large trees, you may need to rake some leaves and then mulch what’s left for the best results. This will ensure a manageable amount of shredded leaves, making it easier for them to decompose.

 

If you have any questions regarding the condition of your fall lawn, or want help preparing for spring, contact Weed Man today!