Leaves - What do do with them!

Fall leaves can be beautiful — but they can also be a chore! 🍁 Here’s how to deal with them efficiently, depending on your goals and your yard type:

🍂 1. Mulch Them

Best for: Lawn and garden health

• Use a mulching mower to shred leaves into small pieces.
• The fine bits decompose quickly, enriching your soil with nutrients.
• Mulching saves time, improves lawn health, and avoids landfill waste.

Tip: Don’t let thick layers sit on the grass — they can smother it. Mulch regularly as leaves fall.

2. Compost Them

Best for: Gardeners or those with compost bins

• Mix shredded leaves (“browns”) with kitchen scraps or grass clippings (“greens”).
• Turn occasionally to speed decomposition.
• In a few months, you’ll have rich compost for gardens and flower beds.

Tip: Wet the pile slightly if it gets too dry — moisture helps break things down.

🍃 3. Bag or Collect Them

Best for: Areas with heavy leaf fall or HOA restrictions

• Rake or blow leaves into piles and use compostable paper bags or city-approved bins.
• Many towns offer curbside leaf pickup or drop-off sites.

Tip: Use a leaf tarp or reusable leaf bag system to move piles faster.

🔥 4. Avoid Burning

Not recommended. Burning leaves releases pollutants, can be a fire hazard, and is banned in many areas. Always check local laws if you’re considering it.

🏡 5. Use for Landscaping

Creative options:

• Shred and spread as mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds.
• Add to garden paths to create a natural, soft walkway.
• Pile in woodland or natural areas to provide wildlife habitat and soil nutrients.