How to Protect Your Lawn From Fallen Leaves This Fall

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fall leaves covering lawn

Autumn is a beautiful time of the year that marks the end of the growing season. Here in Virginia, there are plenty of places to view the fall colors. But for homeowners, fall means more work. Raking leaves is easily one of the harder lawn care tasks there is but at least it’s only once a year. Many homeowners like to put off raking leaves as much as possible but keeping up with it as the leaves continue to fall will make it easier on you and your lawn. Take a look at these tips on how to protect your lawn from fall leaves. 

Tips to protect your lawn from fall leaves: 

Tips To Protect Lawn From Leaves 

As fall approaches, leaves will begin to fall from trees and collect on your lawn. While this may look like a picturesque scene, it can actually do some damage to your grass if left unchecked. Here are a few tips on how to protect your lawn from fallen leaves this fall:

Rake Leaves 

The most important thing you need to do to prepare your lawn for winter is to make sure you rake leaves as they fall onto your lawn. Leaving a thick blanket of leaves on your grass can suffocate and kill your lawn and lead to lawn diseases that you will have to face in the spring.

Apply Mulch To Garden Beds

Leaves are organic material which means they will naturally break down over time. They are rich in nitrogen and other minerals that trees need. In the forest, leaves break down and help to feed the roots of the trees. You can harness this natural mulch for yourself by raking up fallen leaves and adding them to your gardens, flower beds, and around trees and shrubs. Mulch can help retain moisture and insulate shallow roots from the winter cold. Mulch also can be used in the spring as a natural weed barrier. 

Start a Compost Pile

Fall is the best time to start a compost pile. Leaves can add a lot of material to your compost pile and they break down pretty fast. Instead of bagging and disposing of your leaves, find a designated area where you can store them. After a full season, your leaves will break down into fluffy, nitrogen-rich soil that you can use on your flower beds or gardens. 

Fertilize Your Lawn

Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will help to strengthen the grass and make it more resilient to damage from fallen leaves. Be sure to use a fertilizer that is designed for fall use, as this will provide the nutrients your lawn needs at this time of year.

Damage Caused By Fall Leaves

Leaves are great for mulch because they can retain moisture. But when they sit on your lawn for too long, that moisture can spell trouble. Dark and moist environments are the perfect habitat for a number of lawn diseases that can pop up in the spring and ruin the look of your lawn. Common lawn diseases include:

  • Brown spot
  • Snow mold
  • Red thread
  • Dollar spot
  • Pythium blight

Help From The Experts

When the chores of fall lawn care have you overwhelmed, call the pros at Agronomic Lawn Management. Our lawn care program will ensure your grass gets everything it needs to stay strong and healthy. Give us a call today at 757-542-9503 or contact us on our website. 

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