Trees are an invaluable element of an attractive landscape. And with mature trees growing in your yard, you can enjoy natural shade provided by Mother Nature. You’ll need to rake any fallen leaves, however, to protect your lawn from damage.
While a thin layer of leaves shouldn’t cause any harm, a thick layer can block out sunlight, trap moisture and encourage fungal disease. So, what can you do with your leaves once you’ve raked them off your lawn?
Mulch Them
You can always mulch leaves back onto your lawn. Running them over with the lawnmower will shred them into many small pieces, scattering them safely across your lawn.
Over time, the shredded leaves will degrade into the soil, offering additional nutrients for your lawn’s grass. And if you mulch your leaves with a lawnmower, you won’t have to rake them.
Add Them to a Compost Bin
Leaves are the perfect composting ingredient. They contain cellulose, moisture and trace nutrients. Along with vegetable and fruit peelings, you can place leaves in a compost pin to create organic fertilizer.
Just toss them and other composting ingredients in a large, breathable bin or container and let them decompose. Once the ingredients have broken down, you can sprinkle the newly created organic compost in flowerbeds and around trees to promote healthy growth.
Block Out Weeds
Another way to use raked leaves is to scatter them in areas where you want to prevent weeds from growing. If you have weeds emerging through your flowerbed, for example, you can cover the surrounding soil with raked leaves.
As long as the leaves aren’t covering your flowers, they’ll prevent weeds from growing without harming your flowers. This is a safe, effective and all-natural way to eliminate weeds in your flowerbeds or other areas of your landscape.
What About Burning Them?
Depending on where you live, burning leaves may nor may not be an option. Many cities and counties either prohibit or restrict residents from burning yard waste. If you live in an area where it’s prohibited, you won’t be able to burn your leaves.
Even if you can burn your leaves, however, this isn’t the best way to get rid of them. It creates particulate-filled smoke that pollutes the air and the environment.
Therefore, it’s recommended that you dispose of your leaves as a last resort rather than burning them. You can often dispose of yard waste free of charge at a local landfill or dump.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
Thanks for suggesting! In my yard, I found many raked leaves but I don’t know what to do with them and even I don’t like burning the leaves but with your blog, I had a clear idea how to use and cover the surrounding soil with raked leaves. Nice Blog!