Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to gardening and need some advice. My yard isn't completely covered in leaves yet, but I've been pondering whether it's better to use my lawn mower to mulch the leaves as a sort of compost to nourish my grass, or if I should just rake them up and dispose of them. My dad mentioned that mulching them could be beneficial for the lawn, but I'm not sure if that's accurate or if he just made it up. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
5 Answers
I've learned that leaving leaf mulch supports native bugs, like caterpillars that overwinter in it. I used to mulch the leaves, but I realized that was harming those insects. Now I rake them onto garden beds or into the compost pile. Most leaves will naturally break down over winter, and a little spring raking might be all you need.
Mulched leaves make fantastic compost! If they're finely chopped, they won’t suffocate plants below, as long as it’s not a thick layer. Plus, they help keep weeds down when layered. Birds also appreciate them.
Chopping them up is totally beneficial for soil health! The leaf litter adds organic matter that aerates the soil and feeds beneficial microorganisms. People often rake them for aesthetics or if the layer is too thick, which can suffocate the grass. But for a light cover, mowing is definitely easier and better for the soil.
Mulching leaves with your mower is a smart move if you don't have a thick layer. The shredded leaves break down quickly and actually help your soil. I usually go over them a couple of times to avoid clumping. Raking makes sense only if there's a really heavy layer of leaves that could smother your grass.
If you have a lot of leaves, like from those massive trees, you might want to gather them up, especially if you compost. But if it’s just a few leaves, mowing or even leaving them be can work too. Just remember, you don’t want leaves covering the entire lawn as that can suffocate it.