The weather is cooling off, autumn leaves have begun to change, and pumpkins are in your head. In short, autumn is upon us! As the trees start to shed their leaves, you could be wondering if I should remove my leaves? Take a look at a few scenarios which could be applicable and tips for managing each.

When Should You Rake Your Leaves

Here's the information you should be aware of if you're ever tempted to put leaves on your lawn:

Local ordinances could apply. Some cities, as well as neighborhood HOAs, have rules regarding taking leaves away for the sake of tidiness. In this instance, you must plan to mow your lawn, or you could face an imposed fine.

Your lawn may be damaged. If you rake your leaves due to the fact that you are instructed that leaving debris can suffocate grass, which can invite diseases and pests, blocking nutrients and water and hinder new grass blades from emerging the next spring. Although these issues can be a result of a thick layer of dirt, you should not be concerned about taking out every single leaf to safeguard your lawn.

Leaves also cause problems. For other reasons, in addition to risking their health and the well-being of the lawn, leaves can block downspouts and storm drains. They can also stain wood decks and cause walkways to be slippery.

Alternate Methods to Raking Leaves

If you'd like to have your leaves removed and you don't want to rake them or make use of a leaf blower, consider these alternatives:

Mow the leaves. Make sure the leaves have fallen and are crisp. Then, push the lawnmowers over the leaves. (If the leaves are greater than just a couple of inches in depth, it is possible to rake it a bit before you start.) Mowing leaves cut them into small pieces, which allows them to help protect the grass and nourish it. To do this, you can mow the grass without bags.

Make the leaves mulch. It's acceptable to leave a small coat of freshly cut leaves on your lawn, but leaves are also a great mulch. The process of removing chopped leaves is as simple as bagging them when you're mowing as well as using the vacuum included with the leaf blower. Once the leaves have been bagged, throw the leaves in the vicinity of the trees as well as in your gardens to add nutrients to your soil.

Compost the leaves. No matter if you blow or rake or cut the leaves, think about collecting them and add them to the compost heap. Be aware that leaves cannot compost by themselves. They need regular turning and the proper level of moisture, as well as other organic materials. Find out more about the fundamentals of composting if you're interested in this method of disposal.

Leave the leaves. What if you live in a rural area and don't have an outdoor lawn? Perhaps your city doesn't want the removal of leaf litter from the property? In this case, you can decide to leave the leaves in place, provided you're not averse to how they look. But, not taking away the leaves may cause the grass to become suffocated beneath. If the leaves do disappear or are cleaned, it could be that you are facing a lawn that has become drier or, even worse, dirt to be found in the spring.