Now we’re in the middle of the Autumn season, those leaves that looked so beautifully colourful on the trees are not quite so welcome now they are covering our lawns.
There is a good reason why it is recommended that we clear the leaves off our grass and it’s not just that we want our lawns to look tidy. It’s actually to do with the health of the lawn.
Here are a few of the reasons:
Lawns, like us, have to breathe. If the grass is covered in leaves, they will tend to smother it and in more severe cases, can actually kill it in just a few weeks.
Needed water and nutrients as well as air flow can be prevented from getting to the soil to feed the grass roots by a covering of leaves.
Of course, the leaves can also prevent sunlight getting through (what little we usually get this time of year!) They can even hamper the growth of new grass the following Spring.
Leaves can cause problems with damp and disease. If they are left on the lawn for a couple of weeks or so, you could end up with a soggy blanket of them which can weaken the grass and could make it more susceptible to moss taking over.
Worms are attracted to leaves as they make a nice home, and moles are rather fond of worms... as well as digging holes in your lawn!
When raking your lawn, it is best to use a plastic leaf rake, preferably a nice robust one, with stiff enough tines and with a head that has a slight curve to it make it easier to collect the leaves. Also, it may sound a bit obvious, but try to rake with the wind rather than against it and wherever possible, rake downhill. This is in order to get gravity working with you as although the leaves are light, their weight is enough for gravity to have an effect.
If you do this at least once a week, it will be easier to keep on top of it.
Written by Leslie Chetland
20th November 2018