Fall brings beautiful foliage, but it also gives the challenge of removing the fallen leaves from your yard. Cleaning leaves are clearing leaves as essential to maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the winter and into the spring. If it’s left on attended, leaves can smother your grass leading to mold than other lawn issues, which is a concern for most Michigan residence . We have a guide that will help with the task of effectively removing leaves from your yard.
Why is it important to remove leaves?
Removing leaves from your yard, can help protect your grass from damage. A thick layer of leaves can prevent some light from reaching the grass which limits the growth and causes problems like mold, rot, and pest infestation.
Benefits of leaf removal
- Promote better grass health and prevent lawn disease.
- About sunlight, air, and water to reach the grass.
- Prevent mold and fungal growth.
Drawbacks of not removing leaves
- Grass can become smothered and die.
- Leaves attract pest and create a breeding ground for mold.
- Lawn repair costing increase in the spring.
Method one for taking care of leaves
Raking is a traditional and reliable method of removing leaves from your yard. While it takes some physical effort, it’s an effective way to gather leaves for composting or disposal.
How to rake leaves
- Choose a lightweight wide rake to cover the ground. The writer, the rake the ground is covered.
- Rake leaves into manageable pile, then bag or compost them. Some people like to put them in a barrel and burn them.
Pros of raking leaves
- No need for special equipment
- Gives you full control over the leaves that are collected and where.
- Provides exercise while working on your lawn.
Cons of raking
- Can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large yard.
- Physical demanding for some people.
- Piles of leaves can be difficult to move once they get large.
Method two is leaf blowing
Using a leaf blower is a fast and less physical demanding way to move leads into a pile. Leaf blowers are especially useful for large charge or those that have many trees.
How to use a leaf blower
- Direct the blower to the base of the leaves, moving them into a pile.
- Move leaves to a designated spot for begging in composting.
Pros of leaf blowing
- Quick and efficient for large areas.
- Requires less physical movement than raking.
- I deal if you’re trying to remove leaves from a tight space or uneven ground.
The cons of leaf blowing
- Can be noisy and disturbing to neighbors
- Requires a power device either Gas or electric.
- Maybe less precise than raking for small areas.
Method three is mulching it by the lawnmower
Watching leaves with your lawnmower is an eco-friendly way of disposing of them. This method chopped the leaves in defying pieces which decomposes and provides nutrients to your lawn.
How to mulch leaves
- Use a marching mower or an attachment that mulches the leaves. This is a blade that you put on your lawnmower.
- Run the mower over the leaves, chopping them into small pieces.
Pros of mulching
- Edge organic material to your soil, improving the lawn health.
- Saves time by combining mowing and leaf removal.
- No need to bag or dispose of the leaves.
Cons of mulching
- Thick layers of leaves may need to be raked first.
- May not work as well for yards with a high volume of leaves.
- Excessive mulching either smother your grass if not done correctly.
Method four lawn sweeping
Lawn sweeping is another efficient tool for removing leaves. Lawn sweepers work by collecting leaves as you push or tow them across the lawn. The tool is great for homeowners with large properties or those who want to avoid the physical strain of raking.
How do use a lawn sweeper?
- Push or tow the lawn sweeper across the yard, allowing the rotating brushes to collect the leaves.
- Empty the bag once it’s full.
Pros of lawn sweeping
- Easier on the back and arms than raking.
- Fast and efficient for large yards.
- Can also be collected with grass clippings another debris.
Cons of lawn sweeping
- Requires purchase of rental equipment.
- May not Pickup wet or compacted leaves.
- Can be the more expensive option than manual methods.
Disposal options for leaves
Once you have gathered the leaves, and you have decided to dispose of them. You have a few different options of getting rid of your leaves in Michigan.
Composting
Composting eco-friendly way to dispose of leaves. Leaves breakdown into Nutri rich compost that can be used in your garden.
Curbside pick up pick up services
during the fall. Check your local schedules or with your townships and the days that they pick up bagged leaves from the curb.
Bagging
Begging leaves for disposal is simple but requires time and effort. Using a biodegradable bag to avoid adding plastic waste to the environment.
Removing leaves from your yard in Michigan is a great way of maintaining a healthy lawn. Whether you are choosing to rake, blow, mulch, or sweep each method has its frozen cons. Consistent fall, leave cleanup, ensures that your grass receives some light, water and air to thrive. With the right tools and the techniques used you can enjoy a pest free, mold Free yard that’s ready for the winter.