With the exception of my allergies, I love all things Fall: the changing foliage, apple picking, and slowing down from a busy Summer. Although…THE LEAVES…so many leaves. While they’re beautiful, we get a lot of questions regarding the best way to manage them. Here, I’ll cover the cultural practice of mulching leaves on your lawn in the Fall.
Benefits of Mulching Leaves
Although some people get frustrated by managing all their leaves, remember they can add a lot of value to lawns and athletic fields. Mulching leaves with a mower saves you time, energy, and money that you may be spending on Fall cleanup. In addition, leaf cover provides pollinators and other insects shelter in the Fall and Winter. Lastly, mulching leaves brings organic matter into the soil, feeding earth worms and other soil biology to promote a healthy soil profile.
When to Mulch Leaves
You should start mulching leaves when they start falling. Depending on the year, this is typically mid-September in the Northeast. Importantly, mulching early prevents a thick layer of leaves from forming because you don’t want to be plowing through a foot of clutter. If you find piles congregating in certain sections of your lawn, distribute them with a rake before mowing. Note that, during this time of year, turf blade growth is beginning to slow. This means you may be mowing for the sake of mulching rather than keeping up with shoot growth.
How to Mulch Leaves
First, and this should go without saying, remove the clippings bag. Then, set your mower deck high. Check that your blades are sharp (this practice is best done with mulching blades). Now, mow slow and chop those leaves into bits for your happy lawn to consume! Does mulching leaves on your lawn sound simple? It is! Although, if you find thick, matted piles of leaves, please distribute them elsewhere so they don’t smother your lawn.
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PJC Organic manufactures and distributes organic fertilizer and soil amendments…buuuut that’s not all we do! We love working with landscapers, schools, and municipalities to implement Organic Turf Care programs. We take the guesswork out of organic turf care because nothing makes us happier than helping the environment and people.
