I've left my leaves over the winter, and now that spring is coming, I'm wondering when I should mower mulch them. In the past, I've done this after the trees were bare, but this year, I'm unsure about the right timing since I've never read anything specific about dealing with leaves as the weather warms up.
3 Answers
I like to move my leaves into the garden beds as mulch without mowing them first. They break down nicely by mid-summer. Just be cautious not to mulch too early; you don’t want to accidentally chop up beneficial insects. By late spring, most of them should be gone, making it safer for you to mulch them.
I usually just leave my leaves alone, and they decompose nicely by midsummer since I don't have any tough ones like oak. It’s best to wait until the bees and butterflies are active, though, before you mulch. You wouldn't want to disturb them!
Not all the overwintering critters in the leaves are out yet, so patience is key! If it bothers you, just let them sit in a corner for now.