The trick in our area is finding a day that is dry enough to mow. This can take some patience, but we do usually get at least one dry, warm evening after all the leaves are down.
For the complete article, visit Fine Gardening.com:
Improve Your Soil by Raking Less by Terry Ettinger
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| The lesser known circle lawn in our backyard, just in front of the bunny hutch. |
Although I live in a warmer climate then you do, I think I can still learn a lot from you,
ReplyDeleteGreat tip! Have you mulched leaves and used them in your garden beds as a top dressing? I was thinking of trying that this year in my flower beds. Heard this tip from a Master Gardner at my local library. Great Blog and look forward to learning from you and great pictures too.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Scotts Company, there is evidence that mulched leaves are beneficial for the lawn. Here's a link: http://www.thegardenlady.org/scotts-company-advice-about-lawn-care/.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carolyn, for the link!
ReplyDeleteGarden Fairy: Yes! That is the best use of leaves, as far as I am concerned. I let the ones that fall of my shade gardens stay there and even add more on the plants that are newly planted this fall to help give some insulation.
Thanks for this - I'm mowing them in more now. :)
ReplyDeleteI have been hearing about this a lot lately. I use most of the leaves in the yard for mulch on the veggie beds...we mow them up and with the grass and leaves mixed they make a great winter mulch. But if we had more than we needed I would absolutely do this. I will have to convince the mowing hubby...BTW Terry Ettinger works at our local Environmental, Science and Forestry college...very knowledgeable.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna! I like this resource even better knowing that you are acquainted with Terry's reputation.
ReplyDeletethis sounds a great idea; leaves make the most wonderful compost for the garden but it does take time. On the borders I usually leave them in situ. they are a pain when they fall on the gravel, nothing for it but to collect them and add to the compost heap. Christina
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to talk my hubby into doing this with the remaining leaves on the lawn. Also, I mulched with Honey Locust leaves for the first time on my kitchen garden. The leaves are so tiny, they don't need any advanced shredding. Thanks for all the great info!
ReplyDeleteI always rake the leaves off the lawn, but your post has given me pause. Maybe it is time to try something new and run the lawn mower over them. I like the idea of all that fresh compost.
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