Dead leaves can kill your lawn but don’t throw them out – create a ‘winter shield’ elsewhere on your property
WITH fall in full force, landscaping experts have weighed in on what to do with all those dead leaves.
They recommended not throwing them out and creating a “winter shield” for the home instead.
The Grounds Guys, a landscaping company, shared five mistakes to avoid with winter around the corner.
One big issue many property owners face is what to do with seemingly endless fall leaves on the lawn.
“Another common mistake many people make is thinking that they need to burn or discard all of their fallen leaves on their lawn,” they said.
“While this is a good way to get rid of them, why not put them to work for you,” they added.
Some suggestions they included were using the leaves as fertilizer, playing in them with the kids, and even creating a “winter shield.”
“While a layer of leaves on your yard could potentially kill it, leaves have the opposite effect on plants and bushes,” they said.
“By covering them with a six-inch layer of leaves, it actually provides protection from the harshest winter weather.
“The extra layer of insulation can help keep frost from penetration deep into the soil where it can damage roots,” they added.
The leaves also make great fertilizer, according to The Landscape Guys.
“By cutting your leaves up into a mulch, you can use them as fertilizer for your yard,” they said.
“Make sure you are aerating your lawn before spreading any leaves on it.
“This allows the smaller bits of leaf mulch to sink deep into the soil and release their nutrients closer to the grass roots,” they added.
According to the landscaping company, the leaves can also make for a fun family activity.
“There are few things more enjoyable for kids than diving into a huge pile of fallen leaves,” they said.
“The leaves provide a nice cushion for them, and some free entertainment for the adults.”
“Once the fun is over, ask the kids to pitch in with gathering them up so you can dispose of them properly,” they added.