Leaves falling from trees is a natural process that everyone experiences each autumn. However, most people know that part of home maintenance in the fall is to rake leaves, but have you ever wondered why it’s necessary? Leaves can be harmful to your yard if not dealt with properly. Keep reading to learn why it’s important to clean fallen leaves in your yard and the best ways to dispose of them.
Why do you need to rake leaves?
One of the biggest issues that fallen leaves cause is damage to lawns. If leaves are left for too long on your lawn, they prevent sunlight and air from reaching the grass. This can smother the grass and cause it to die.
Another problem with leaves is that they can harbor diseases and pests. If you have a lot of leaves in your yard, they can become a prime breeding ground for diseases and pests. These problems can then spread to your plants and grass, causing them to become sick or die.
To prevent these issues in your yard, remove fallen leaves on a regular basis.
How to remove fallen leaves from your yard
Raking
If you decide to rake your leaves, first, make sure that you’re using the right rake. There are two types of rakes: leaf rakes and lawn rakes. Leaf rakes are designed specifically for dealing with leaves, while lawn rakes can be used for both leaves and grass. Make sure you’re using a leaf rake to avoid damaging your lawn.
Next, rake from the outside of the pile towards the center. This will prevent the leaves from being blown away by the wind.
Leaf blowers
Leaf blowers are great for quickly removing leaves from your yard. Instead of raking leaves into a pile, use the blower to pile them. You’ll generally need to pile leaves next to a house, fence, or other structure to prevent them from blowing haphazardly around your yard.
Leaf Vacuums
Leaf vacuums are a great alternative to leaf blowers. They combine the 2 chores of piling and removing leaves into one. Leaf vacuums also have the added benefit of mulching the leaves as they vacuum them up. This means that you can use the leaves as compost for your garden, or it makes the task of disposing of leaves much easier as they are significantly smaller piles when mulched compared to when they are full-size.
How to dispose of fallen leaves
It’s important to properly remove the fallen leaves. If you leave them in a pile on your lawn, it can cause them to decompose and release harmful chemicals into the soil.
To remove leaves, many people place them directly in their trash cans or bag them and take them to the dump if there is too much to fit in your trash.
Additionally, many people opt to mulch the fallen leaves and use them for a purpose.
Fallen leaves make great mulch for your garden. Mulch is a material that you spread over the soil to protect plants. It helps to prevent weeds from growing, and it also retains moisture in the soil. This is especially important in the summer when the sun can quickly dry out the soil.
To use fallen leaves as mulch, simply collect them in a bag and spread them around your plants.
You can also use mulched leaves as a fire starter in your fireplace or to add to your compost pile.
So, don’t let fallen leaves ruin your yard! Be sure to remove them on a regular basis to keep your lawn healthy and looking its best.
Need help with your Northern Nevada landscaping projects?
Landscaping can help to improve the overall look of your home, increase its value, and even help to save energy. If you are thinking about landscaping your home, contact DRC Landscaping to learn more about the benefits of landscaping and how our fire-smart designs can help protect your home.
