You don't need to get every last leaf, but if you remove a significant amount of them, then you can mow the rest up and leave them on the lawn. Those raked up leaves can be a valuable resource, and used in composting, winter mulching, or saved until spring for mulching in vegetable or flower gardens.
A thick layer of leaves on your yard prevents it from absorbing air, nutrients, and sunlight. As it becomes difficult for air, water, sunlight, and nutrients to reach the lawn's root system, a lawn may develop disease, cause flooding, or even attract pests.
It's generally best to rake leaves in the fall. Leaving them on the lawn can lead to issues like mold growth, smothering the grass, and attracting pests. Raking them up helps keep your yard healthy and can also be a great opportunity to compost the leaves or use them as mulch.
Except in situations wherein a fungal leaf issue is at play, you should leave the leaves and mulch them. Repeatedly removing leaves (and grass cuttings!) diminishes the amount of nitrogen being cycled back into the soil, and could lead to a nitrogen limitation and/or deficiency, creating the need for fertilization.
Yes, grass can grow back over leaf piles. The leaves will eventually decompose and provide nutrients to the soil, helping the grass to regrow. However, if the leaf piles are very thick, they may block sunlight and prevent grass from growing beneath them.
Leave the leaves, or move them just a bit
Leaves are great for soil quality: they can suppress weeds, retain moisture, and boost nutrition. And perennial plants appreciate the extra insulation through the winter, too!
Leaves have nutrients, which can be recycled into your lawn. The concern is if your leaf layer is very thick and will smother the grass. If you have just a few leaves, such as 20 percent of the lawn covered, you can just ignore them. They will blow around, settle in, and break down on their own.
10-20% coverage of your lawn might be okay, but I certainly would make sure the leaves aren't covering any more than that.
Even if you're performing weekly mowing, if you're cutting the grass too short, it could still turn yellow from stress. When you mow too short, you also invite weeds into your lawn. Opportunistic weeds are much more likely to invade weakened lawns, than dense and thriving ones.
On average, it takes leaves about one to three years to fully decompose. If leaves are already broken into smaller pieces, it takes less time, whereas if they are fully intact, it will take closer to the three-year mark.
If you feel compelled to remove the leaves, instead of raking, wait until they're good and crunchy (ripe for jumping into), and then mow the leaves into little pieces. Then you can just leave them! The leaves will serve as mulch and can protect the soil around your trees, shrubs, or garden.
When you see dead leaves, dormant stems, or brown parts of leaves, cut them away. It's fine to pluck dead leaves or stems with your hands when possible, just don't pull too hard, or you may damage the healthy part of your plant. For tougher stems or to remove brown leaf tips and edges, use scissors or pruning shears.
Leaf removal is most important with newly seeded lawns, since the young grass will die without light more quickly than the established turf. Leaves that remain on Fescue seedlings can also increase rot conditions by creating a dark, damp climate that will smother out weaker plants.
Generally, you should rake leaves off your lawn every three or four days. You can make a judgment call depending on how quickly leaves are piling up. If it's day four and leaves are sparse, putting it off for a day or two is fine. You should consider the weather while deciding when to rake.
Thatch, a layer of dead grass and root matter, can impede water, nutrients, and air from reaching the soil if too thick. Regular raking breaks apart and thins the thatch layer, which allows for enhanced grass root health and overall lawn vitality.
Most of the time, however, you'll be doing your garden more harm than good by exceeding recommended speeds: rocks and dirt flying everywhere, destroyed grass and tears of dread. Treat leaf blowing the same way you would any other garden job. Take your time and do it right; Your lawn will appreciate the effort.
Mowing actually helps make your grass grow thicker because the tip of each blade contains hormones that suppress horizontal growth.
The rule that helps us figure that out is called the one-third rule, which means never remove more than one-third of the leaf tissue at any one time that you're mowing. So, if you're mowing Kentucky bluegrass at two inches high, for example, you don't want to let it grow any higher than three inches before you mow it.
For one-time lawn care jobs, the average is closer to $7, depending on the scope of the job. This is the typical, optional tip for a one-person crew. Prices may vary depending on the size of the landscaping crew and if the company upcharges for a one-time service.
Keep Leaves in Place, When Possible
Leaving the leaves alone is a good way to support native pollinators and other insects and wildlife. These valuable insects rely on the habitat fallen leaves provide, especially over the winter months. The extra layer of leaves can provide winter protection for many perennials.
Don't Rake, Mow Your Leaves
Other advantages include providing food for the beneficial microorganisms that keep your lawns foundation healthy, and improving the quality of your soil, both of which result in a more beautiful lawn. To learn more about properly mulching your leaves to prevent weeds, watch our video.
Leave the leaves where they fall. Let fallen leaves decompose in your yard, as leaves form a natural mulch that can suppress weeds and amend your soil to support water retention. Leaf litter is also important in urban and suburban settings for wildlife, by providing shelter and overwintering habitat for their survival.
Leaves can smother your lawn and eventually kill it.
This can quickly kill your lawn if the leaves are not picked up for several weeks and create a breeding ground for certain insects and pests. As the leaves begin to rot, there is also an increased chance for fungus and mold growth.
If you're asking yourself “Are leaves good for grass?” chances are, you don't feel like raking them. The short answer to the question is “Yes.” Leaves are good for your grass, but you probably shouldn't just ditch clearing them altogether.
Mulching Leaves
While a thick, untreated cover of leaves can smother and kill your lawn, a moderate leaf cover can easily be broken down using a lawn mower and left in place. The shredded leaves break down over the winter and serve as fertilizer for your yard.