In recent years, the environmental impacts of raking have become increasingly well known. Yard debris accounts for 13% of the nation’s solid waste! Every fall re-introduces many seasonal favorites that we get to experience, such as pumpkins, apple orchards, apple cider, and so on. However, it also gives us another chore – raking. Most people have always known raking leaves and bagging them is what we are supposed to do. This chore is optional though! There are other ways that are better for the earth and our backs!
Now, a thick layer of leaves should never be left on the grass, which will smother it and block sunlight from getting through. It turns out that mulching (mincing leaves to shreds) is what is best for your lawn, and it requires less work for everyone! There are plenty of mowers with mulching capability, but you can mulch leaves with any type of lawn mower. It may take a few passes to do the job well. No matter what type of mower you have to prepare by setting the blade to its highest setting and remove the bag that collects clippings. The goal is to cut the leaves into shreds about the size of a dime. Depending on the volume of leaves on your lawn, you might have to go over it more than once.
If when you are done and look at the lawn and think there is too much covering your lawn, you can re-attach the bag to your lawn mower and go over the grass one more time. Then the mulched leaves that you collected can be added to your garden or compost pile. Consider mulching on a weekly basis during the height of the season so there are not challenging amounts of leaves that accumulate.
When mulched leaves decompose, they enhance the soil with valuable nutrients that feed the microbes and worms present in a healthy lawn. The nitrogen boost that results from mulching is such that you don’t even need to fertilize the soil. The yard waste can be turned into food for your yard!
Now, a thick layer of leaves should never be left on the grass, which will smother it and block sunlight from getting through. It turns out that mulching (mincing leaves to shreds) is what is best for your lawn, and it requires less work for everyone! There are plenty of mowers with mulching capability, but you can mulch leaves with any type of lawn mower. It may take a few passes to do the job well. No matter what type of mower you have to prepare by setting the blade to its highest setting and remove the bag that collects clippings. The goal is to cut the leaves into shreds about the size of a dime. Depending on the volume of leaves on your lawn, you might have to go over it more than once.
If when you are done and look at the lawn and think there is too much covering your lawn, you can re-attach the bag to your lawn mower and go over the grass one more time. Then the mulched leaves that you collected can be added to your garden or compost pile. Consider mulching on a weekly basis during the height of the season so there are not challenging amounts of leaves that accumulate.
When mulched leaves decompose, they enhance the soil with valuable nutrients that feed the microbes and worms present in a healthy lawn. The nitrogen boost that results from mulching is such that you don’t even need to fertilize the soil. The yard waste can be turned into food for your yard!