Four important points for your lawn and leaf removal this fall; Nitrogen depletion, Solar deprivation, Turf Smothering, and Uprooting.
Solar deprivation is easy to see here. We already have 5 less hours of daylight during winter, so less sunshine for fueling photosynthesis. Leaves on grass block what limited sun that remains. Leaving grass a bit long helps plants collect more sun in the colder months.
How do you best remove fall leaves to protect your lawn from Uprooting? Raking has it’s place, but new seedlings from recent Overseeding are easily ripped from the ground even with gentle raking. A leaf blower is the best option.
Nitrogen depletion? Yep, the microbial activity that breaks down decaying leaves is fueled by Nitrogen which it steals from your lawn. Your final Winter fertilizer treatment carries about 25% of your lawns annual “N” needs to feed roots for the next 4 months. Don’t use it up on leaves that could be bagged.
Smothering happens when whole leaves or even mulched ones you hit with the mower lay on top and become a mat, especially after they get wet & heavy. The grass then dies, not just going dormant. Those areas will require starting over by reseeding in spring.
Love you lawn all year long. Take the opportunity to get out in the sun before it gets really cold and deal with the leaves.
Love your Trees and Shrubs, too, with Deep Root Injections now before the ground freezes. Let roots pull food an insect protection up into the plants in time for a greener spring.
