Fall and Winter Leaf Lawn Management
Article Written By: Jordan E Raley
As temps are now truly chilly and the leaves have covered our Chattanooga lawns, it’s time to think how best to manage this fall blanket.
First up, you’ll need the right tools. These tools can vary in size, complexity, and price but a few staples can get you what you need to get a tidy lawn and outdoor living space.
The right rake can be the simplest and most effective tool in your lawn arsenal when managing leave coverage. A sturdy handle, a wide head, and strong tines are key. Don’t forget a pair of gloves! While raking is very effective in moving leaves, it can be quite a workout and can take a toll on your hands without the right pair of gloves.
A blowers or vacuum, a wonderful companion to the rake, help speed up the process of moving leaves while providing great power to move other items like twigs, small roots, and rocks without the brunt work of a rake. Blowers and vacuums may come gas powered or electric so check that you have the right type of gas or extension cords long enough to pair with your power blower before you start. Getting halfway through blowing a yard only to find out your cord stops short can be frustrating!
Depending on size of your lawn or property, a wheelbarrow may also be beneficial. Not only does it help haul your tools around your large space (and save your back in the process), it of course is a great collector that can temporarily house your leaves until you figure out what you want to do with them.
Next, you want to sort out what you’re doing with the leaves. Are they being mulched and used for landscape coverage or compost? Do they need to go to the edge of your property for pickup? Depending on your plans, here are two options.
Mulching is the easiest way to rid of leaves. Simply run your lawnmower over the leaves, creating a hearty mulch to add to your fall or winter landscaping. You could also toss with your compost to add rich nutrients during the colder months when grass isn’t as readily available. Depending on your lawnmower, you may have a side bag that easily collects the mulch, pushes the mulch back into the lawn, or you can go behind and rake it up, if needed. The benefits of mulching are many. While ease is a great motivator, remember that mulching helps create nutrient rich soil, prevents water run off (especially needed in snowy or very wet months), and can keep the weak winter heat in ground so your landscaped plants can thrive, even when dormant.
Tarp or collection bags can be used, especially if you have a fair to large number of leaves to gather. Simply rake or blow the leaves and other yard debris to the tarp or bag and once complete, you can drag to wherever you plan to dump the leaves. This makes for a one-stop-shop for gathering and removing. Maybe you’re taking them to the woods, the front of your yard for neighborhood collection, or to your compost out back. Regardless, tarps or leaf collection bags (ideally the larger the better) can be used season after season and make quick(er) work of your lawn care. Remember to go easy on your back if hauling a tarp full of leaves!
Lastly, you need to remember the frequency in which to remove. Like mowing, leaf removal should also be done often-think weekly or every other week as needed. In doing leaf removal with regularity, your lawn stays healthy and can get some of that short lasting fall and winter sunshine while also making shorter work of the job. Furthermore, waiting too long can make for an arduous task and rain-soaked leaves make for a much slower (and heavier) process.
Future you will be so thankful Past you took great care of your lawn by continually removing leaves, maintaining a great canvas to create your Spring landscape dreams. And if you have new ideas or questions, Full Circle is just a phone call away.