Mulching leaves with a lawn mower is beneficial for grass health, provided that only a thin layer of mulched leaf bits is left; a thick layer of whole leaves can damage the grass.
Key Takeaways:
- Mulching leaves with a lawn mower is a beneficial practice for your grass. It can transform leaves into a natural, compost-like material that enriches your soil.
- With several passes of your mower, you can effectively mulch up to 18 inches of leaf clutter.
- If done correctly, you will know your mowing is sufficient when about half an inch of grass can be seen through the mulched leaf layer.
- Applying Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food after mulching your leaves will help the soil microbes to break down the leaves faster, turning the mulch into a valuable soil amendment.
- Spring will offer a pleasant surprise as the mulched leaf litter from the previous fall will have disappeared, absorbed into your lawn’s ecosystem.
- The Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food is currently on sale for Labor Day on Scotts’ website. So, it’s an excellent time to prepare for your fall lawn care.
Leaves on Lawn Mulch or Pickup
To get started with your leaf mulching endeavor, the first step is getting your hands on a decent lawn mower, preferably one that can handle a substantial amount of leaf clutter. Amazingly, with just a few passes of your mower, you can mulch up to 18 inches of leafy mess! After a few rounds, you might have a minor panic upon seeing the scattered leaf bits all over your lawn. But don’t worry – that’s a good sign! You’ll know you’re on the right track when about half an inch of your grass can be seen peeking through the mulched leaf layer. The simple rule of thumb here is to grind the leaves down until they are small enough to easily mix in with the grass, while simultaneously ensuring that the grass isn’t completely hidden.
Now, you might ask, “What happens to these mulched leaves over time?” Well, here’s the exciting part – nature does its magic! Come spring, you’re likely to be startled to see that the leaf litter you mulched in the fall has vanished. This isn’t due to any mysterious neighborhood leaf thief. Instead, it’s a clear indication of your soil’s enhanced health. When leaves undergo decomposition, they enrich soil with vital nutrients, which consequently promote healthier grass growth. To speed up this process, you can apply Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food after mulching your leaves. This fantastic product helps the soil microbes break down your mulched leaves even faster. And guess what? There’s a Labor Day sale on Scotts® products right now, so it’s the perfect time to pick up a bag! By adopting this leaf management strategy, not only are you saving time and energy (no need for endless raking and bagging), but also doing your lawn a big favor in the natural, eco-friendly way.
BEST Use For Grass Clippings EVERYWHERE In The Garden! MORE Benefits & Easier Than Composting It!
Related Questions
Is it OK to mulch leaves with lawn mower?
Absolutely, you can mulch leaves with your lawn mower! Doing so can be a beneficial way to process leaves. Basic rotary-action mowers are sufficient for mulching leaves and it can be done with all varieties of leaf types. All you need to do is make several runs with your mower. You’ll find that you can efficiently mulch up a pile of leaves up to 18 inches tall!
Once you’ve mulched the leaves, they begin to decompose due to the activities of microbes and earthworms. This will provide important nutrients to your soil, enriching it, and promoting the health of your grass and garden. Mulching leaves with a lawn mower is a natural and sustainable way of dealing with leaf litter. It’s a method I’ve used myself for years, and I’ve seen the positive effects it has on my lawn firsthand.
Is mowing over leaves bad for grass?
Contrary to popular belief, mowing over leaves is not bad for your grass. In fact, it’s a practice that comes with several benefits. The general advice has been to rake and remove fallen leaves from your lawn to prevent them from smothering the grass. However, an alternative, time-saving method is to use your mower to mulch the leaves.
When you run over the leaves with your mower, they are crushed into tiny particles that settle in the grass. Michigan State University conducted a study that came to a striking conclusion: mulching leaves into your lawn could lead to a reduction in Dandelions by up to 60%. Through the years, I’ve adopted this method and noticed a significant reduction in the number of weeds in my own yard, whilst improving the overall health of my grass. So, do not worry about mowing over leaves; it might just be the best thing you can do for your green yard!