Top Benefits of Mulching Leaves
If you have trees on your property, chances are you'll be dealing with leaf drop every year. Here's everything you need to know about mulching vs. removing leaves this autumn.
Mulched Leaves = Free Fertilizer
Mulched leaves can actually serve as fertilizer for your lawn. Deciduous tree leaves contain about 2% nitrogen, which is a crucial nutrient for plants, including grass, because the decomposing leaves give a boost to your soil and lawn. The mulching process can be as simple as a regular mowing session with the mower deck closed, instead of open with side discharge. This allows the mower blades to continuously spin and break down leaves and debris in your lawn.
Pro Tips for Mulching Your Lawn
Lower Your Blade Gradually
As Michigan temperatures start to drop (usually late-October to November), gradually lower the blade height on your mower by 0.5 inches each week until it reaches a grass height of approximately 2–2.5 inches. This ensures a smoother mulching process and reduces the risk of snow mold.
Mulch Frequently
Depending on the amount of leaves in your yard, you may need to mulch multiple times. Once or twice a week works well if you have large trees that consistently shed leaves. Choose a sunny afternoon with dry leaves for best results.
Spread Out Leaf Piles
After mulching, use a leaf blower to scatter any remaining clumps around your yard. Leaf piles can block sunlight that grass needs before winter. Spreading them out ensures even decomposition and nutrient distribution.
Certain Tree Species' Leaves Are Easier to Mulch
Ash & Maple Leaves
Ash or maple leaves can pose a challenge for mower blades due to their toughness. Let these leaves dry out for a few days after falling from the tree to make mulching easier. Driving over maple leaves a few times to mulch them down is worth the extra effort.
Oak Leaves
Oak leaves are more manageable to mulch. As an added bonus, both oak and maple leaves have been proven to reduce dandelion populations in Kentucky Bluegrass lawns — making them especially beneficial to mulch rather than remove.
Leaves Left in Your Lawn & Landscape Can Cause Issues
Leaves left scattered about your property can be problematic. Too many leaves can block sunlight, which can harm the health of your lawn and plants. If possible, mulch as many leaves as you can. If your lawn is overwhelmed with leaves even after multiple rounds of mulching, it may be best to bag up the leaves and take them to a yard waste site.
So Should You Remove Leaves or Mulch Them?
Mulch Them
Mulching leaves provides an added nitrogen boost as the leaves eventually decompose, naturally feeding your lawn through fall and into early spring — at no extra cost.
Remove Them
For aesthetics, removing leaves will be the most effective process to keep your lawn looking pristine while reducing the chance for snow mold and other fungus to develop in your lawn over winter.
Automate Your Leaf Removal with Keast Lawn & Snow
If leaves have started taking over your lawn and you need a quote for removal, contact the pros at Keast Lawn & Snow today.
