I'm curious about the reasoning behind landscape companies dedicating so much time and labor to spring cleaning. They gather every fallen leaf and last year's mulch before laying down new mulch. I get that mulch eventually breaks down and helps nourish the soil, so why the big effort to remove all this compostable material? Do they use it somehow? Are they just milking money from unsuspecting customers? Or is it a lack of awareness about soil health? It seems like they could cut their workload in half and still charge the same.
3 Answers
I actually find removing debris helpful for weed control. I’ll pull back existing mulch and add new layers—it makes a big difference for me. Plus, I usually end up with unwanted weeds if I don’t prep my beds first.
A lot of it boils down to what customers want! Many clients expect a neat look, and landscapers cater to that request, even if it means a lot of extra work.
Totally agree! Some people just want their yards to look perfect, no matter how much it costs. It's become the norm over the years, even if those leaves could be beneficial for the soil.