Is it OK to just mow leaves instead of raking?

You can skip raking completely by mowing over leaves and chopping them into small pieces. The more grass you see, the more quickly those leaf pieces will decompose. As the leaf bits settle onto soil between grass blades, microbes start the process of decomposition.

Should I rake my leaves or mow them?

Instead, just mulch them with your lawn mower and feed your lawn with a nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer like Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food. Leaf mulching will save you work, improve your soil, and add nutrients.

Why you should not rake your leaves in the fall?

Wildlife Habitat of Leaf Litter The leaves are a natural habitat for butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, box turtles, toads, shrews, earthworms and others. They lay eggs in the leaves and feed on and under the leaf layer. By raking or blowing leaves, you disrupt their life cycle and eliminate beneficial insects.

Is it bad to pick up leaves with a lawn mower?

Using your mower is a great way to cut up the leaves and reduce the amount of waste, or turn the fallen leaves to compost. Most municipalities require you to collect your leaves, bag them, and leave at the curb for pickup. Mulching with a mower gives you the advantage of combining grass clippings with the leaves.

Are mulching blades good for leaves?

Most mowers designed for homeowners have mulching blades, which mulch the grass but are also effective for leaf mulching. Make sure they are regularly sharpened and replace them when necessary.

What are the benefits of raking leaves?

Benefits of Raking Leaves

• You will get plenty of exercise and fresh air.
• You’ll eliminate damaging lawn thatch (dead grass tissue above the soil) as you rake.
• Raking reduces the amount of leaves that harbor diseases that affect trees and plantings.
• Raking makes your property look neat and cared for.

What to do with leaves after raking?

How to Dispose of Leaves

1. Blow leaves into the woods. If you own woods or fields behind your home, blow leaves into those natural areas where they’ll decompose and continue the circle of life.
2. Bag ’em.
3. Vacuum them away.
4. Let leaves degrade.
5. Return leaves to the earth.
6. Burn the pile.

What’s the difference between regular blades and mulching blades?

Standard blades, sometimes referred to as 2-in-1 blades, are designed to cut grass and then either discharge or bag the clippings. Mulching blades, also known as 3-in-1 blades, can be used to bag, discharge, or mulch grass clippings. Mulching blades feature more curves and an increased cutting edge.

Do lawn mowers mulch leaves?

Leave a thin layer of leaves on the lawn and mulch them using your mower. Any type of lawn mower can chop up leaves although it might take a few passes to do the job well. No matter what type of mower you own, prepare by setting the blade, or mower height, to its highest setting for mulching leaves.

Is it better to rake or mulch leaves in the fall?

Arguably, the nitrogen boost that results from mulching leaves is such that you don’t even have to fertilize in the fall. This means that compared with raking, mulching leaves isn’t only easier and more lawn-friendly, but it’s also less costly, saving you both the money and time spent on fertilizing.

Does raking leaves improve the health of your lawn?

But raking isn’t the only—or even the easiest—method of protecting your lawn’s health. It turns out that mulching leaves—that is, mincing them to shreds with your lawn mower—improves the health of your lawn.

Should you leave leaves on your lawn in the fall?

While in most cases, your lawn will benefit if you keep the leaves where they fall, some raking may be necessary, the experts agree. Sandor said leaves and lawns are different shapes and sizes, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Should you mulch leaves with a lawn mower?

Instead, just mulch them with your lawn mower and feed your lawn with a nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizer like Scotts® Turf Builder® Winterguard® Fall Lawn Food. Leaf mulching will save you work, improve your soil, and add nutrients.