What To Do With Fall Leaves
Many of us enjoy fall for a variety of reasons, including the chilly, crisp air, hot beverages, and snug sweaters, to name a few. The changing of the leaves, however, is undoubtedly the most unforgettable aspect of fall, when trees suddenly burst with flaming red and orange, warm golden and gold colors. However, what can you do with all the leaves when they fall in vast numbers and how do you take care of your lawn?
This fall, you don’t have to get rid of every fallen leaf on your property. Did you know they have numerous advantages for nature and your garden?
Benefits of Fall Leaves
Fallen leaves have a lot of carbon in them. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air, but they also sought this out in the ground, where it could be used for growth through their root system.
Additionally, Mycorrhizal fungi flourish on degrading plant debris and can be found on fall leaves. These fungi assist in the aggregation of soil, allowing plant roots easier access to water and oxygen. They benefit from their parasitic association with plants because it allows them to get water and nutrients. The foliage of fall leaves can help your plants in the garden.
Here are some ideas for how to make the most of the fall leaves:
Make a Compost Pile
Compost is a great way to add nutrients to your soil. Collect fallen leaves and place them in an area of your yard. Ideally, use chicken wire or some other framework to keep leaves from blowing away. You can shed the leaves to speed up the composting process. You can easily shred the leaves by using:
- Mulching lawnmower
- Chipper
- Leaf shredder
Allow the compost to sit for the entire winter, turning it occasionally to densify it. Water the compost pile with a garden hose and turn it with a pitchfork if it appears to be drying out. You should have some excellent compost to incorporate into your plant soil by the time spring arrives.
Make Leaf Mold
Mold might not always sound like a pleasant thing, but it may do wonders for the soil in your garden. When leaves are left to disintegrate on their own, they produce leaf mold, which is a grainy, compost-like substance that is high in calcium and magnesium and retains water.
Leaf mold doesn’t give many nutrients to the soil, but it helps increase the stability and water retention of the soil.
Make Mulch
In the garden, fall leaves can be used to create a beautiful natural mulch. They can inhibit weeds and will not promote the spread of new weeds.
Fall leaves will disintegrate and enrich the soil over time. Rake leaves directly into planting beds if they’re tiny and make sure you cut or shred larger leaves before using them as mulch. A mat made up of entire leaves is impenetrable to water.
Mow Into Lawn
A light coating of fall leaves can help your lawn. The soil is improved by leaf litter, which reduces the demand for fertilizer in the spring. Using a mulching lawnmower and mowing once a week while the leaves are falling is recommended. Over the winter, this will break down the leaves into smaller bits, adding nutrients to your soil.
Ask Assistance From American Landscapes LLC
If cutting and taking care of the fall leaves on your lawn and garden is too much for you and your lawnmower, you can always hire American Landscapes LLC, a dependable and well-established full-service landscaping company in Cincinnati. We can manage the fall leaves for you and our team specializes in fertilizing and soil nourishment, which will help your lawn develop a strong root system.
