Raking leaves vs. allowing them to cover lawn - Ask Extension
Should I rake my leaves or leave them on the lawn and flowers over the winter? I am in Fort Collins. The leaves are primarily from Bradford Pear &...
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Raking leaves vs. allowing them to cover lawn #889708
Asked November 12, 2024, 12:00 PM EST
Should I rake my leaves or leave them on the lawn and flowers over the winter? I am in Fort Collins. The leaves are primarily from Bradford Pear & Locust trees. Thanks in advance for your advice! - Karen Ross
Larimer County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Karen,
In the lawn, it's best to mow them to break them up. Leaving whole leaves on the lawn can lead to some diseases and things that the turf will struggle to recover from in the spring. So you can use your mower, take the bag off, and just mulch them into bits. It's best if the leaves are dry and not wet so they break down. You might need to make a couple passes (or more).
If you leave them in your landscape beds, you'll eventually rake them up in the spring. You might wait until later in spring to allow overwintering pollinators to emerge. Or rake the leaves onto the lawn and break them up with the mower. You can use the chopped leaves around your perennials, shrubs, roses, or add to your vegetable garden.
In the lawn, it's best to mow them to break them up. Leaving whole leaves on the lawn can lead to some diseases and things that the turf will struggle to recover from in the spring. So you can use your mower, take the bag off, and just mulch them into bits. It's best if the leaves are dry and not wet so they break down. You might need to make a couple passes (or more).
If you leave them in your landscape beds, you'll eventually rake them up in the spring. You might wait until later in spring to allow overwintering pollinators to emerge. Or rake the leaves onto the lawn and break them up with the mower. You can use the chopped leaves around your perennials, shrubs, roses, or add to your vegetable garden.
