Fall Chores & Managing Leaves

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#LEARNINGMOWMENTS

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Fall Leaves: How to Manage Them for a Healthy Cool-Season Lawn

As the vibrant colors of fall foliage begin to fade, homeowners are faced with the annual chore of managing fallen leaves. While it may be tempting to simply rake them up and dispose of them, there are better ways to manage fall leaves that can benefit your cool-season lawn. Properly managing fall leaves can help improve soil health, reduce thatch buildup, and provide valuable nutrients to your lawn.

Why Manage Fall Leaves?

Thatch & Disease Prevention

A thick layer of leaves can contribute to thatch buildup, which can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass.  If you’re in an area where snowfall occurs, this will only cause more issues from the weight of the snow, potentially leading to disease issues. 

Nutrient Recycling

Fallen leaves are a valuable source of nutrients, including carbon and trace minerals, that can benefit your lawn.

Soil Health

Decomposing leaves can improve soil structure and microbial activity, leading to healthier grass.

Methods for Managing Fall Leaves

Mulching

Use a mulching mower to chop up leaves into small pieces that can break down more easily. The shredded leaves can be left on the lawn to decompose.

Composting

If you have a compost bin, add fall leaves to your compost pile. The leaves will break down over time, creating nutrient-rich compost for your garden and lawn.

Leaf Removal

If you prefer to remove leaves from your lawn, consider using them as mulch in your garden beds or as a protective layer around shrubs and trees.

Tips for Managing Fall Leaves

Don't Wait Too Long

Try to remove or mulch leaves regularly throughout the fall to prevent a thick layer from accumulating.

Avoid Piling Leaves

Piles of leaves can smother grass and create an ideal environment for pests and diseases. Spread shredded leaves evenly over the lawn or use them in your garden beds.

Use Caution with Leaf Blowers

Leaf blowers can be a quick way to remove leaves, but be mindful of where you blow them. Avoid blowing leaves into storm drains or onto neighbors' properties.

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Managing fall leaves doesn't have to be a daunting task. By using these tips to properly manage fall leaves, you can improve the health of your cool-season lawn and reduce the amount of waste you generate. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're taking steps to create a healthier environment for your lawn and garden.

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1

Learn About Your Soil

Ever question which fertilizer is best for your lawn? How about how much fertilizer to purchase and apply to your lawn? Perhaps your lawn isn’t looking healthy as you want it after the money, work, and effort put into it.

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2

Know Your Surroundings

Knowing your lawn's location and the type of grass it has is crucial for proper care. Simply put, no two lawns are the same. Their location is different, soil type is different, grass type is likely different, and the way they are maintained are likely different.

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Step
3

Measure Your Property

Measuring your lawn is crucial for buying the right amount of products like fertilizer. Here's how to do it easily:

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4

The Basics of Fertilizing

Adding fertilizers to your lawn care routine is crucial for maintaining plant health and achieving a lush, green lawn. Fertilizers provide essential nutrients that enable proper plant growth and help improve the overall health and appearance of your lawn. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of fertilizing, whether to DIY or hire a professional, steps to fertilizing your lawn, finding the right fertilizer, calculating application rates, using a spreader, when to fertilize, and watering in fertilizer applications.

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Step
5

Get a Thicker, Greener Lawn

Getting a thick, lush, green lawn - When and how to seed your lawn. 

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6

Preventing & Managing Weeds in Your Lawn

Control the weeds in your lawn to enjoy a lush, green lawn again. 

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7

The Basics to Watering Your Lawn

Water is a required resource needed by all living things, plants included. Similar to humans needing to drink enough water, our lawns and gardens are no different.

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8

The Basics to Mowing Your Lawn

The Beginner's Guide to Lawn Mowing: Tips for a Lush, Healthy Lawn

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9

The Basics of Dethatching Your Lawn

A lush, green lawn is the pride of any homeowner, but achieving that perfect lawn requires proper care and maintenance. One important aspect of lawn care that is often overlooked is dethatching. Dethatching is the process of removing the layer of dead grass, debris, and organic matter that can accumulate on the surface of your lawn, known as thatch. While a thin layer of thatch is normal and can actually benefit your lawn, too much thatch can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass, leading to a dull, unhealthy lawn. 

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10

The Basics of Core Aeration

Achieving a healthy, vibrant lawn requires more than just regular mowing and watering. Core aeration is an essential maintenance practice that can greatly benefit your cool-season lawn. Core aeration involves removing small plugs of soil from your lawn, allowing for better air, water, and nutrient penetration to the grassroots. Understanding when and why to aerate your lawn can help you achieve a lush, healthy lawn that's the envy of the neighborhood.

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11

Fall Chores & Managing Leaves

As the vibrant colors of fall foliage begin to fade, homeowners are faced with the annual chore of managing fallen leaves. While it may be tempting to simply rake them up and dispose of them, there are better ways to manage fall leaves that can benefit your cool-season lawn. Properly managing fall leaves can help improve soil health, reduce thatch buildup, and provide valuable nutrients to your lawn.

Let's go!