What Should You Do With All Those Fall Leaves?

Fall is a beautiful time of year in the D.C. area.  The temperatures drop and the air feels cool and crisp.  Soon we can expect beautiful fall foliage.  But along with the vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, comes an inevitable day when the leaves begin to fall from the trees and into our yards.  So what do you do with all those leaves?  While a very common way to manage is to bag and have them hauled away, did you know that fallen foliage contain anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of the nutrients that plants need from the soil?  They can actually be a great natural resource.  Consider these eco-friendly ways to utilize your excess this fall.

Shred Using a Mower

The easiest way to manage leaves is to simply shred them and create a layer in the grass.  This method works best on a light layer of leaves using a mulching mower.  The benefit to shredding them is the valuable nutrients they impart into your grass.

Add Leaves Your Garden Beds

Leaves can serve two purposes in your garden beds.  Tilling into heavy soil helps with aeration and drainage.  And working into light soil improves its ability to retain nutrients and water.  They can also be placed on top of the soil and used as a layer of mulch.

Composting

Composting is another option.  The benefit of composting is that it adds a natural source of nutrients to your flowerbeds and potted plants. Additionally, you can add grass clippings, pine needles, and spent plants to the compost pile.

At Shorb Landscaping, our team of landscapers and designers can help you maintain your flowerbeds and yard throughout the fall season.  Call us at 301-897-3503.