To rake or not to rake?
By Pooja Sainarayan
Local Journalism Initiative
Leaf raking is often a topic of debate amongst many homeowners. Is it necessary? Are there any benefits to leaving the leaves and letting nature take its course? Can raking the lawn wait until spring or is it better done during the fall season? Let’s take a closer look at the ecology behind raking.
According to the National Wildlife Federation, raking our leaves does far more damage than good. In addition to robbing the lawn of essential nutrients, raking disrupts the wildlife habitat and important environmental cycles. In one article from the National Wildlife Federation, naturalist David Mizejewski describes how leaves create a natural mulch that prevents weed growth and enriches the soil as it breaks down. Nature’s mulch is a much better alternative to spending money on mulch and fertilizer. In addition, raking can disrupt various wildlife habitats that rely on leaves for food and shelter. Pollinators such as butterflies and moths rely on leaf litter for nesting before emerging in spring. Birds also go through leaf litter to find food for their young ones. In cases where leaves are not composted, sending leaves to landfills increases greenhouse gas emissions worsening climate change. According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 8.7 million tons of yard matter, including leaves, were disposed of in landfills in 2017, totaling approximately 6 percent of all waste in landfills. Combined with other organic waste, they can break down and release methane, a strong greenhouse gas. As leaves do smother the lawn, the National Wildlife Federation recommends replacing stretches of lawn with planting beds consisting of native plants and using leaves as mulch. Instead of throwing leaves away, let them stay where they’ve fallen and when needed, compost them or use as mulch in existing gardens.
While raking may help the ecosystem flourish, it may not be the solution to a well-kept lawn. The most significant benefit of raking is to help the grass grow. A thick bed of leaves will deprive the lawn from breathing and getting enough sunlight, thereby inhibiting the growth of grass. In addition, leaves piling on the lawn can promote snow mold diseases which can kill grass in the winter and early spring. When the mold spores get released in the air, it can negatively impact human health, especially those with mold sensitivities and allergies. Ticks and the presence of other animals like mice can also increase with large leaf beds, which can cause damage. Leaves left on walkways or decks for long periods of time can stain these areas. The best time to rake leaves is during autumn, when leaves are dry prior to the first frost or snow fall. Some homeowners prefer raking as the leaves fall in batches during the season while others wait until all the leaves have touched ground before picking up a rake. Although both are acceptable options, it comes down to the quantity of deciduous trees and the rate at which leaves collect on the yard during the fall season. Spring raking is also recommended as this loosens up any areas of matted grass that did not survive the winter or succumbed to mold. If this is not taken care of, these dead areas create thatch. Thatch buildup occurs when organic debris in the soil accumulates faster than microbes can break it down.
Although excessive leaf beds on the lawn may smother it, some leaf coverage is perfectly alright. Homeowners can find some middle ground between what is good for the lawn as well as the ecosystem. One way is to rake less often and mow the lawn instead to chop leaves up. In addition to providing nitrogen and other organic matter to the grass, this will maintain soil moisture and protect root systems. The local wildlife can also benefit from the leaf litter remnants. If the leaf layers are too thick, try using a leaf blower to move the piles for later use as compost or mulch in garden beds as much as possible. If the leaves are already on your garden beds or near shrubs or bushes, leave them be. They will break down and be an excellent source of mulch come spring. If surrounding the head of perennial plants, make sure to move those away. If possible, redistribute the leaves along your yard’s perimeter close to wooded areas or in areas where it’s not a bother for local wildlife. As important as it is not to send leaves to the landfill, it is also important not to burn leaves as this can release toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide.
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