Like many of you, I have fond autumn recollections of raking fallen leaves into an enormous pile….only to squash my hard work by plunging into them. My sister and I would repeat these efforts over and over until we were dog-tired, or until our dad declared playtime over. Nowadays, leaf-jumping has lost its allure; yet my trees continue to drop their leaves! Let’s take a closer look at handling these autumn offerings.
Leave them! Unquestionably the easiest route, this is an option if your yard is scattered with tree species that produce smaller leaves, such as locust or black cherry. If you’re dealing with a larger canopy, however, mow-mulching may be necessary. Most lawnmowers have the ability to shred leaves into smaller pieces that will, over time, break down in your lawn. There are many benefits to leaving this mulchy layer:
- Provide habitat for wildlife and overwintering beneficial insects.
- Decomposing leaves add nutrients and increase lawn fertility.
- Leaf bits fill in the spaces between individual grass plants, suppressing weeds.
Mulch, mulch, mulch! When nature gives you leaves, make mulch! Vegetable plots and flowerbeds can both benefit from blankets of mulched leaves.
- Ensure leaves have been shredded, as whole leaves can impede drainage.
- Use shredded leaves to cover bare ground and insulate tender plants.
- If using around trees and shrubs, layer in a donut shape to ensure leaves are not touching stems or trunks.
- Do not use black walnut leaves, as they secrete a chemical that can hinder plant growth.
Compost- Excess leaves make great compost! During the composting process, microbes break down leaf litter into an organic matter called humus that provides a nutrient-boost to future plantings. Ensure piles are manageable in size (at least 3’x 3’x 3’ is recommended) and have good air flow. Adding green material, such as garden leftovers or grass clippings, can expediate the composting process. Maintain your pile by keeping it moist and aerating it often by turning with a spading fork.
Author: Carrie Brown, ANR Extension Educator-Fairfield County brown.2766@osu.edu