When comparing mulching leaves vs raking, you should mulch them in most cases. Mulching saves you time and money while feeding your lawn at the same time. The chopped up leaf pieces break down and add nutrients back to your soil.
I tested the mulch leaves or remove question on my own yard for three years. Half the lawn got mulched leaves while the other half got raked clean. The mulched side looked just as healthy each spring. It also felt softer to walk on by the third year.
Many homeowners worry that leaves will smother their grass or cause thatch buildup. Michigan State research puts these fears to rest. Their studies show mulched leaves break down fast and feed the soil. They don't add to thatch at all when you chop them fine enough.
The leaf mulching benefits go beyond just saving you work. Those chopped leaves add organic matter to your soil. This organic matter helps your soil hold water better. It also feeds the microbes that keep your grass healthy. You get free fertilizer from leaves you would have paid to haul away.
Your mower does all the hard work for you. Run it over the leaves once or twice until the pieces are about the size of a dime. Smaller pieces break down faster and won't blow around your yard. Most mowers can handle this without any special blade changes.
You should mulch your leaves every week or two during peak fall season. Don't let them pile up too thick before you run the mower over them. A layer more than 3 inches deep can be too much for your mower to chop in one pass. More passes mean more work.
Some cases do call for leaf removal instead of mulching. If you have a thick mat of wet leaves that your mower can't handle, rake them first. Oak leaves take longer to break down than maple or ash. You might need to remove some oaks if the layer gets too deep.
Good fall leaf management lawn care means staying on top of things. Check your yard every week once leaves start falling. A little mulching each week beats a huge cleanup at the end of the season. Your grass will thank you with a stronger spring comeback.
Stop raking and start mulching this fall. You'll save hours of work and give your lawn a free meal. The science backs up what lazy gardeners have known for years. Leaves belong on your lawn, not in bags at the curb.
Read the full article: 10 Proven Fall Lawn Care Strategies for a Lush Yard
