You have several options to get rid of autumn leaves. But it might be simpler — and more beneficial for your landscape — to just leave them where they land.
While autumn is a loosely used term around South Texas, there is one constant: sooner or later, our deciduous trees drop their leaves. And that leads to the question of what to do with them.
Many of us will just rake, bag and bin them, sending them off as garbage for the solid waste department to deal with. At best, we’ll remember to use the green bins so they can end up as organic compost. (Definitely avoid putting leaves in the brown bin — they’ll just take up space and waste away in a landfill.)
But there’s a much better way to use your leaves: just leave them in the landscape. The benefits will surprise you.
Every year, countless Texans spend millions on fertilizers for their lawns and landscapes. Why not let nature lend a hand? Leaves contain a significant percentage of nitrogen, a primary nutrient required for plant growth.
So instead of raking those leaves, consider leaving them where they lie, or mowing them into your lawn. A light covering of leaf particles will break down over time and help fertilize your grass, promoting healthy microbial growth in the soil.
If you don’t like the look of leaf debris on your lawn or if your trees have dropped too heavy a pile to effectively tackle with a mower, just rake them up and spread them throughout your landscape beds. They make an excellent mulch or top-dressing that not only adds nutrients but also helps cover and protect exposed soil.
Like mulch, leaf litter can help suppress weeds — and by insulating and locking in moisture, they can significantly reduce the need for water in landscape beds.
Now, before you worry about oak and pecan leaves and whether their acidity can negatively affect your lawn and plants, here’s the truth: research has shown any acidity these leaves possess is buffered by the time full decomposition rolls around. Plus, with our alkaline soil any acid is a benefit.
So, do yourself a favor this year and leave the leaves where they belong: at home in your landscape.
