fall leaves - Ask Extension
Thoughts on not raking up leaves in the fall, beneficial in Colorado or not, also mulching them up in the lawns beneficial or not? I read a lot of art...
Knowledgebase
fall leaves #855250
Asked November 14, 2023, 10:09 AM EST
Thoughts on not raking up leaves in the fall, beneficial in Colorado or not, also mulching them up in the lawns beneficial or not? I read a lot of articles that say not to pick them up, but I also notice these articles are from out of our state.
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
In Colorado, leaves should be raked up or mulched in the fall. Leaving a thick layer of leaves over the winter can form a mat that can create mold or promote other fungal diseases. A thick mat of wet leaves can also smother the lawn and prevent light, air, and moisture from penetrating the soil. Snow mold is a serious problem for Colorado lawns, and leaving a layer of leaves can exacerbate this problem.
https://csuhort.blogspot.com/2015/12/snow-mold-in-lawns-should-we-be-worried.html
A rule of thumb is: if 20 percent of the lawn covered with leaves, ignore them because they will blow around, settle in, and break down on their own.
If there is a moderate amount (50 percent of your lawn is covered in leaves) you still don’t need to rake, but run your lawn mower to chop them into very small pieces so they can decompose and release nutrients for your lawn to use next year.
If there is a thick layer of leaves, where you cannot much lawn beneath them, then it’s best to remove some of the leaves. Rake to remove a significant amount, then you can mow to mulch the remainder.
https://csuhort.blogspot.com/2014/10/ugh-dealing-with-leaves-in-fall.html
https://csuhort.blogspot.com/2015/10/leaves-are-finally-falling.html
Used raked leaves in composting, winter mulching, or saved until spring for mulching in vegetable or flower gardens.
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/655.pdf
Here is some additional information on other winter landscape care:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/late-winter-garden-and-lawn-care/
Finally, ALWAYS water your landscape in the winter. Colorado is a very dry climate, so water when there has been no moisture for 2-3 weeks:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
https://csuhort.blogspot.com/2015/12/snow-mold-in-lawns-should-we-be-worried.html
A rule of thumb is: if 20 percent of the lawn covered with leaves, ignore them because they will blow around, settle in, and break down on their own.
If there is a moderate amount (50 percent of your lawn is covered in leaves) you still don’t need to rake, but run your lawn mower to chop them into very small pieces so they can decompose and release nutrients for your lawn to use next year.
If there is a thick layer of leaves, where you cannot much lawn beneath them, then it’s best to remove some of the leaves. Rake to remove a significant amount, then you can mow to mulch the remainder.
https://csuhort.blogspot.com/2014/10/ugh-dealing-with-leaves-in-fall.html
https://csuhort.blogspot.com/2015/10/leaves-are-finally-falling.html
Used raked leaves in composting, winter mulching, or saved until spring for mulching in vegetable or flower gardens.
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/655.pdf
Here is some additional information on other winter landscape care:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/late-winter-garden-and-lawn-care/
Finally, ALWAYS water your landscape in the winter. Colorado is a very dry climate, so water when there has been no moisture for 2-3 weeks:
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/fall-and-winter-watering-7-211/
