Say goodbye to raking leaves. Try one of these alternatives for a cleaner yard - National | Globalnews.ca (2024)

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Say goodbye to raking leaves. Try one of these alternatives for a cleaner yard - National | Globalnews.ca? ›

Luckily, there are alternatives to raking that can help make this annual process faster and more comfortable. Leaf blowers are a well-known option, but after you've blown the leaves into piles, you still need to get them into the bags. A leaf vacuum solves that issue – the leaves go straight into a bag.

Creating a habitat for animals

Leaves left on your lawn also act as a habitat for lizards, birds, turtles, frogs and insects over the winter, according to the USDA. Leaf litter is also a food source for animals and used as nest material, according to the National Wildlife Federation.

First, it will smother the grass and if not removed very soon in the spring it will inhibit growth. Second, it can promote the snow mold diseases.

These bags of leaves not only take up space, they also can break down with other organic waste to create methane, a potent greenhouse gas which exacerbates climate change. If you must rake your leaves, check to see if your city or county has a composting program—some programs even give you mulch in return.

Chop Leaves for Compost

Convert leaves into organic matter for your garden by composting them. Organic matter is the silver bullet for building healthy garden soil that grows gorgeous, productive plants. It helps with soil aeration, moisture retention and even disease fighting.

By the time it starts to get cold, the leaf layer might already be full of wildlife hunkering down for winter and raking the leaves could disturb them, Carpenter-Driscoll said. Leaves can act as mulch and a springtime weed suppressant. Mizejewski recommends not removing leaves from the base of trees and shrubs.

They will blow around, settle in, and break down on their own. If you have a moderate amount of leaves, such as 50 percent coverage, you still don't need to rake.

In addition to nourishing your lawn, mulching grass clippings and leaves when you mow saves time, money and is better for the environment. Dealing with lawn clippings or raked up leaves can often be a painful and laborious process. Mowing, bagging and disposal takes a lot of time out of your day.

Surprisingly, it's not only okay to leave fallen leaves on your lawn, it's an advantage—at least for the wildlife surrounding your home. The National Wildlife Federation encourages homeowners to skip raking or blowing leaves entirely, and let them be.

Here are just some of the potential implications if you don't rake the leaves on your lawn: Create a fungal disease on your lawn. Block oxygen and sunlight from your lawn. Cause a slip hazard.

What do scientists say about raking leaves? ›

What lies beneath the bed of foliage, though, is worth leaving untouched, scientists say. In a forest, fallen leaves fertilize the soil and offer habitat to pollinators and other wildlife.

Raking old leaves can potentially make you sick if you have a mold allergy. Leaves, especially when damp and decomposing, can harbor mold spores.

Easiest Way To Pick Up Leaves – Even If You Have A Large Yard. Instead of grabbing the rake, clean up your yard's leaves with (drum roll, please) a mower! A mulching mower works best, or raise or raise your mower deck to the highest setting. This method is most effective if leaves are spread out throughout the yard.

Leaves Do Benefit Your Lawn in Small Amounts

Since they consist of organic material, they will decompose over time, and when they do, they release essential nutrients into your soil, which nourish your grass and encourage healthy growth. Not only that but leaving them can also improve the overall quality of your soil.

Let leaves stay where they fall. They won't hurt your lawn if you chop them with a mulching mower. Rake leaves off the lawn to use as mulch in garden beds. For finer-textured mulch, shred them first.

In short, traditional chemical fertilizers harm your trees and shrubs. But leaves are the perfect, healthy substitute. By leaving the leaves, you build the health of the soil.

Rather than the tedious task of raking and bagging leaves and taking them to the landfill, the best way to reduce greenhouse gases and benefit your garden is to leave the leaves! Leaves create a natural mulch that helps to suppress weeds while fertilizing the soil as it breaks down.

Loose leaf piles should be placed behind the curb or edge of pavement without blocking the sidewalk. Do not rake or blow leaves into the street as they present a safety hazard and a flooding concern when leaves are washed into storm drains.

Raking is an important practice for any gardener trying to maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn.