<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3XT2Hm_0wBDsGBJ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3XT2Hm_0wBDsGBJ00" width="646" height="648" ></figure><p>UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu</p><p>Mulching leaves into your lawn is a sustainable and effective practice for healthier turfgrass. Mulch regularly when leaves are dry, and double pass for a finer mulch. This enables them to break down quickly and integrate into the lawn and saves you the labor of picking them up.</p><p>Not surprisingly, there are similarities between leaving grass clippings on your lawn and leaf mulching in the fall. Both practices return essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to the soil.</p><p>While mulched leaves do not return as much nitrogen as grass clippings, this still reduces the need for supplemental fertilizer and is a more eco-friendly and cost-effective practice.</p><h2>Good for the soil</h2><p>In addition to releasing nutrients, decomposing leaves improve soil structure. The improved soil structure leads to better water infiltration, moisture retention, and root growth. It also improves access to nutrients, water, and air.</p><p>Leaf mulching is also very effective as a weed preventative as it covers bare spots and inhibits weed seed germination.</p><h2>When to start bagging</h2><p>There can come a point when excessive tree leaf litter left on the surface is detrimental to the lawn in the spring. For example, excessive tree leaf residue can promote snow mold damage.</p><p>We recommend mulching tree leaves until you can only see about half of the lawn surface. When less than 50% of the lawn is visible, begin bagging the tree leaves to compost them off-site.</p></div></body>

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Fall leaf mulching is good for your lawn

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION - www.extension.umn.edu. Mulching leaves into your lawn is a sustainable and effective practice for healthier turfgrass. Mulch regularly when leaves are dry, and double pass for a finer mulch. This enables them to break down quickly and integrate into the lawn and saves you the labor of picking them up.