Discarding leaves in landfills is a waste of potential lawn nutrients.
The beauty of fall brings a vibrant display of gold, yellow, and orange leaves that soon cover our lawns, leading to the cumbersome chore of raking and disposing of them. SciLine interviewed Susan Barton, a plant and soil sciences professor at the University of Delaware, who advocates for a less intensive, more beneficial approach to this task, favoring both your garden and its resident wildlife.
Insights from Dr. Susan Barton on autumn lawn maintenance.
Key points from the interview are summarized, with edits for conciseness and clarity.
Is it necessary to mulch leaves on landscaped areas, or can they be left as is?
Susan Barton: Leaves on lawns should be either raked or mowed into finer pieces to avoid blocking sunlight, which harms the grass. However, leaves in landscape beds or under larger plants can be left unmulched.
What advantages does mulching leaves offer over removing them?
Susan Barton: Leaves are a source of nutrients and organic matter. By integrating them back into the landscape, you enrich the soil, mimicking the nutrient-rich conditions found in forests.
How can one prevent leaves from drifting between properties?
Susan Barton: Minimizing leaf size through mowing or vacuuming reduces their movement. These smaller pieces can then be distributed in landscape beds.
What environmental benefits arise from not discarding leaves?
Susan Barton: Avoiding landfill disposal of leaves allows them to decompose naturally, enriching the soil. Additionally, leaf litter provides a habitat for beneficial insects, supporting bird populations and pollinators.
When is the best time to fertilize lawns?
Susan Barton: Fertilizing in fall is optimal as it supports root growth. Spring fertilization primarily encourages leaf growth, necessitating more frequent mowing. Mulched leaves also contribute to soil fertilization.
How can one enhance their lawn’s environmental value?
Susan Barton: Rethinking landscape design to prioritize eco-friendly spaces over traditional lawns can significantly benefit the ecosystem through improved water infiltration, air quality, and carbon dioxide absorption.
For further insights, view the complete interview.
SciLine, a service of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, provides journalists with scientific expertise and evidence.
Article by Susan Barton, Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware.
Originally published in The Conversation and adapted here.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Eco-friendly lawn care
Can leaves be left on the lawn or should they always be mulched?
Leaves on the lawn should be either raked or finely chopped with a mower to prevent sunlight blockage. However, in landscape beds or under large plants, leaving them unmulched is fine.
What are the benefits of mulching leaves instead of removing them?
Mulching leaves enriches the soil with nutrients and organic matter, similar to the rich soil found in forests, benefiting the landscape.
How can one prevent leaves from blowing onto other properties?
Chopping leaves into smaller pieces through mowing or using a leaf vacuum helps reduce their movement and makes them easier to manage in landscape beds.
What environmental benefits are there to not removing leaves?
Leaves that decompose naturally enrich the soil and provide habitats for beneficial insects, supporting bird populations and pollinators, rather than contributing to landfill waste.
When is the best time to fertilize lawns?
Fertilizing lawns in the fall is more effective as it supports root growth, unlike spring fertilization which mainly promotes leaf growth.
How can lawns be made more environmentally friendly?
Rethinking lawn design to prioritize environmentally sensitive areas with diverse plant layers can improve ecosystem services, such as better water infiltration and air quality.
More about Eco-friendly lawn care
- Susan Barton’s Insights on Lawn Care
- SciLine’s Interview with Susan Barton
- Eco-Friendly Gardening Tips
- Leaf Mulching Benefits
- Improving Soil Health Naturally
- Sustainable Landscaping Practices
6 comments
interesting but what about the mess? my yard’s gonna look untidy with all those leaves just lying around.
Good points but remember not all leaves are good for your lawn, some can be harmful, do your research folks
This is the kind of thinking we need more of! Sustainable practices that work with nature, not against it
so we’re basically saying, be lazy and it’s actually good for the environment? count me in haha
really interesting read! never thought about just leaving the leaves, always just raked em up, will try this out
great article, but how about those of us living in cities? Not much space for all these leaves!