Experts agree that when fallen leaves begin to form a mat over the grass in your yard as the weather cools down, it's time to remove them.
It's probably the most beautiful and colorful time of the year. As fall leaves turn shades of orange, yellow, brown, and red, they descend onto paths, roadways, and, inevitably, our yards, too. You might be tempted to sweep them up as quickly as possible, to prevent them damaging your grass. But is this really necessary?
Click on to find out if you actually need to sweep away your leaves and, also, if you've been doing it wrong this whole time!
As these colorful leaves begin to fall, it's tempting to begin to gather them up or rake them away. However, experts say you might want to leave at least some in your yard.
Autumn/fall is in full swing in the northern hemisphere. If you're lucky enough to live in the vicinity of trees, your yard might be filling up with leaves.
Removing the leaves might actually be worse for your yard, and for the environment, too. There's a balance to be struck between the amount of leaves you should leave behind and those you should remove.
Our yards are our own small piece of Earth and the environment. By being environmentally conscious when raking and disposing of fall leaves, you help to take care of the planet in a small but vital way.
Sources: (USA Today) (Daily Mail)
See also: Europe in the fall—the best locations to appreciate autumn
Keeping at least some of the leaves in your yard can help fertilize grass and plants, provide a place of shelter for animals, and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
It's recommended to place some of the leaves in garden beds or to rake them into a bigger pile, where they can naturally compost and break down.
The leaves then slowly break down at the base of trees, right above the root zone. They return nutrients to the plant that it can recycle and reuse next spring.
Leaves typically fall around the root zone of plants. When they remain there, they suppress the growth of other plants and weeds.
There might actually be thousands of species living on the leaf layer that aren't visible to the naked eye. Everything from the humble earthworm to bigger salamanders and toads might call this habitat home during the fall months.
The wildlife habitat created by fallen leaves acts as a food source for local birds, who need it to feed their babies.
What's more, the fallen leaves create an ecosystem for wildlife, indeed forming an entire ecosystem in and of itself.
Beware, too, of leaf blowing. Leaves that are blown from your yard onto the street can disrupt drains and local water supplies.
Caterpillars provide food to birds in this ecosystem. They also tend to find a home in the leaf layers that fall on the ground in autumn.
This can cause leaves to end up in rivers and streams where the drains lead, affecting water quality and sensitive species who have adapted to those waterways.
The correct size rake reaches the bridge of your nose, and it allows you to spread out your hands as you hold it in position.
Perhaps you're a new homeowner, or someone who is living with a yard for the first time. Learning the correct method to rake leaves will help keep your yard healthy this fall and into the springtime.
There is more than one type of rake on the market. To effectively gather the leaves in your yard, you need one that's not too large or small for the job.
A rake is not a shovel. Unfortunately, it's not made to withstand the pressure of hoisting the leaves, especially wet leaves, repeatedly.
To make your life easier, always rake the leaves in the direction the wind is blowing. By letting nature work for you, you can finish the job in less time and with less effort.
If you put pressure like this on a rake, it will eventually break. Use tarps, snow shovels, claws, or gather the leaves with your hands to prevent your rake from breaking.
Save yourself the blisters and make sure you wear gloves when you go to gather your fall leaves. Whether you invest in gardening gloves or not is up to you.
While you're at it, consider the rest of your outfit too, to make sure it's appropriate for the job at hand. Long sleeves, long pants, and closed toe shoes are a must when raking leaves in your yard.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, consider wearing a dust mask while you tidy. Shoveling leaves can stir up a lot of things you might not want to breathe in.
A sure-fire way to break your rake is to attempt raking leaves after it's been raining. Use your common sense and wait until the leaves dry out.
While raking your leaves into a giant pile can make for some fun times, it's generally best not to do this. On a practical level, large piles of leaves are hard to move, adding more work.
Leaves are free compost, containing lots of essential nutrients to nourish your lawn. Use the leaf mulch to enrich the soil in your yard.
Using a lawn mower can help break down leaves into smaller pieces that you can use to compost and enrich your soil. A mulching mower is a great option if you regularly mow in the fall, as it won't grind too many leaves at once.
Is raking leaves bad for your yard?
Fall foliage makes the season
LIFESTYLE Fall
It's probably the most beautiful and colorful time of the year. As fall leaves turn shades of orange, yellow, brown, and red, they descend onto paths, roadways, and, inevitably, our yards, too. You might be tempted to sweep them up as quickly as possible, to prevent them damaging your grass. But is this really necessary?
Click on to find out if you actually need to sweep away your leaves and, also, if you've been doing it wrong this whole time!