Fall is here, and leaves are decorating our lawns. Whether you choose to rake or use a blower, leaves should be removed from your turf. A blanket of foliage reduces sunlight and air circulation and will eventually smother your lawn.
Your trash company will happily discard the leaves. However, there are numerous methods to make use of fallen leaves. Instead of shoving fallen leaves into a garbage bag for the landfill, recycle leaves for lawn care and to keep your plants healthy for upcoming seasons.
Here are our suggestions on making the most of fall’s bounty:
Compost. Leaves are an excellent addition to compost piles. Rich in carbon, leaves are vital to balancing the nitrogen in compost. Shred the leaves with your mower and rake into a pile. Transfer the leaves to your compost. Stockpiling leaves provides the perfect balance for green components like grass clippings in the summer.
Mulch. Shredded leaves are also an inexpensive alternative to wood chips from the garden center. Leaves will deliver tons of nutrients to our soil while acting as insulation for your plants. Use mulch in your garden and flower beds to protect plants from frostbite.
Leaf Mold. Contrary to its name, leaf mold is not a type of fungus. This leaf-only compost pile is placed in a sheltered area of the yard while it decomposes. After 8 to 12 months, the soil-like material is mixed into the soil to add nutrients and help retain moisture.
Fall Wreaths. A festive way to recycle fall foliage is to make a leaf wreath. Look no further than your yard to gather the tools you need – find leaves of various colors, pinecones, branches and flowers. Make a trip to your craft store for a wire form (or use wire hanger from your closet shaped into a circle), wire cutting scissors, pliers and florist tape if you don’t have these items on hand. There is no right or wrong way to craft a fall wreath. Let your creativity run wild.