Deciduous trees shed leaves and will enter dormancy during winter to conserve energy and water for survival. As trees shed leaves, copious amounts of leaf litter are generated (image courtesy: blog.nwf.org).
By John Green, Certified Texas Expert Gardener, Orange County, TX
Many gardeners categorize trees through a ‘general’ definition learned during primary education which characterize trees by leaf type and seasonality into three groups that include deciduous, coniferous, and evergreen trees. Deciduous trees (known as broadleaf trees) routinely have larger, wider leaves (maximizing photosynthesis) which drop leaves during colder months to survive winter conditions by conserving energy. Coniferous trees characteristically have needle or scale-like leaves and reproduce by distributing cones. Evergreen trees are a broad category that includes both coniferous and broadleaf trees which do not lose leaves seasonally, as they drop and regrow needles or leaves during all seasons, remaining green year-round. Each leaf or needle shedding technique is a survival mechanism deployed across seasons or when trees become stressed due to extreme environmental shifts such as during droughts, elevated temperatures, or extended frigid weather. Trees shed leaves and will enter dormancy to conserve energy and water for survival. As trees shed leaves, leaf litter is created, leading us into today’s topic- fallen leaves (trash or treasure).
As gardeners, we often don’t agree on many plant-related topics, but can we at least say that raking leaves is a physically exhausting chore? Using a lawn mower to shred leaves into smaller pieces (mulch) may provide some gardeners with recourse for managing fallen leaves. It is my opinion that managing fallen leaves by mechanical means (mowers specifically) is too noisy and doesn’t provide the sought after aesthetic (leaving leaf debris scattered over a large portion of lawn area appears unkempt…eye of the beholder kind of thing). So, let’s get started and “leaf” through some useful tips on how to manage fallen leaves.
Autumn leaves were once beautiful, often bearing shades of green, orange, yellow, red, and bronze before plummeting to the ground. Carried by the wind, they can form mounds beneath the tree or scatter (sparsely or densely) across the lawn, culminating in a thick layer of thatch if left in place.
Large drifts of leaves have the capacity to smother the lawn, prevent plant growth of nearby plants, and can attract unwanted pests…quickly diminishing a home’s curb appeal. For most of us, raking leaves can easily become an exhausting, tiresome lawn maintenance chore. Many gardeners find the task of manually raking leaves tedious, but this gardener enjoys taking his time outdoors raking leaves, listening to the sounds of nature, all the while enjoying her music!
Expert gardeners mostly agree that we should avoid traditional raking and disposal of leaves…in most cases. Instead of removing a valuable, natural resource, they recommend utilizing fallen leaves to enrich the soil, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce landfill waste.
Experts from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), and university extension services suggest the following approaches:
Mow and Mulch: The most common advice for lawn maintenance is to use a mulching lawn mower to shred the leaves and leave the pieces on the lawn. The shredded leaves decompose quickly, returning vital nutrients (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) to the soil. The decomposition of leaf debris acts as a natural, slow-release fertilizer, reducing the need for commercial products. Gardeners should note that this method is best suited for a light to moderate layer of leaves. Gardeners which are short on time, or who simply want to “get through” raking tasks quickly might choose lawn equipment options for leaf removal. A leaf blower can certainly cut down on the time spent “raking” by corralling leaves. As does a lawn mower with mulching blades attached, which in turn speeds leaf decomposition.
Use as Mulch (my preference): Rake excess leaves into garden beds, around trees, and in shrub areas to create a protective, insulating layer of mulch. This helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, regulate soil temperature, and protects plant roots. Shredding the leaves is recommended to prevent them from matting into a thick blanket, which can negatively affect plants. Before you begin raking leaves, don a comfortable pair of shoes, dress for the weather (think layers), and wear heavy-duty leather gloves to prevent blisters. If you decide to use machinery (mowers & blowers) wear hearing protection and safety glasses. Often gardeners wait for leaves to stop falling, I am not this gardener! Leaves continue falling over several months, meaning the lawn is going to be blanketed in leaves. Raking is not a once-per-season event! Allowing leaves to accumulate will form thick mats of leaves that are difficult to remove, creating back-wrenching, exhaustive work.
Build Compost: Leaves are an excellent source of carbon-rich material for a compost pile which needs to be balanced with nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps (no meat or fat scraps). Composting is an environmentally friendly approach that avoids the methane production that can occur when organic material is sent to landfills.
Wildlife Habitat: Designate a quiet, out-of-the-way corner of the yard to leave a pile of intact leaves undisturbed. This leaf litter creates a crucial mini ecosystem that offers shelter and an overwintering habitat for beneficial insects such as butterfly & moth larvae, ladybugs, as well as small animals like salamanders, toads, and chipmunks.
Raking Becomes Necessary
Leaves carpet the lawn: A very thick, matted layer of whole leaves block sunlight, diminish air circulation, which could potentially smother the lawn, and encourage fungal diseases. Leaves must be thinned out or removed.
Diseased Foliage: If the fallen leaves demonstrate signs of disease (black spots, mildew, rust) rake and dispose of them to prevent the spread of disease to next season’s plants.
Hard Surfaces and Storm Drains: Leaves should be removed from driveways, sidewalks, and patios to prevent slipping hazards and raked away from storm drains to minimize clogging and subsequent water pollution of local waterways.
Most experts advocate for a balanced, eco-friendly approach to leaf management that works with nature’s nutrient cycle rather than against it. Until next week fellow gardeners, let’s go out and grow ourselves a greener, more sustainable world, one plant at a time! Gardening questions answered by email: jongreene57@gmail.com.
Social Media