Fall in Massachusetts brings around plenty to look forward to! The good? Temperate weather, pumpkin pie, and, of course, apple cider donuts (our personal favorite). The bad? Well, homeowners face endless blankets of leaves that need to be dealt with. If you’re dreading the back-breaking work of raking leaves, we have some good news! Leaving untouched leaf matter on your lawn simply isn’t good — it can lead to critters and mold taking over. However, we have a workaround: leaf mulching.
What Is Leaf Mulching and How Does It Benefit Your Lawn in Massachusetts?
With the abundance of leaves homeowners have to deal with every fall, leaf mulching actually makes them useful! Leaf mulching is the process of shredding leaves into smaller particles to use them as a protective barrier on topsoil. Leaves can be mulched with either a leaf shredder or simply a lawn mower. By mowing over fallen leaf litter, you help them break down into a natural, free fertilizer.
Mulch isn’t just a completely free nitrogen fertilizer; it can also be used over garden bed topsoil. Applying a layer of leaf mulch over your garden beds will suppress weed growth and insulate the soil throughout winter. By regulating your soil’s temperature and reducing heat loss, your garden plant roots are at less risk of frost damage (take that, winter freezes!).
Is Mulching Leaves Better Than Raking for Massachusetts Lawns?
We’re huge supporters of mulching! Raking might be the best choice for a homeowner who sees leaf litter as an eyesore, but mulching is a much quicker solution to a yard full of foliage. While raking or leaf mowing can take hours, mulching is as simple as going over the leaves with a mower (no need to pick them up, either). Plus, you only have to mulch once or twice a season rather than raking twice weekly. Afterward, your lawn can better absorb the nutrients of the leaves and use them to strengthen its grass roots to withstand winter weather.
How Mulching Leaves Improves Soil Health in Massachusetts’ Fall Climate
Untouched leaves are fibrous and hard to decompose. But by helping them along by mowing them into smaller pieces, you can reap the many benefits of leaf mulch. Shredding leaves helps your soil decompose the organic matter faster, so it can use the natural material to boost water retention. New England winters are long and cold, and the freezing climate prevents you from being able to water your lawn at all. However, porous leaf mulch can help soil suck up more water before that first frost hits so your lawn has a steady supply of moisture.
Leaves are basically little nitrogen bombs, which is why mulching two inches of leaves directly into your turf grass gives it about 150 lbs of nitrogen, 20 lbs of phosphorus, and 65 lbs of potassium per acre! These three elements are the fundamental nutrients to a beautiful, winter-resistant lawn and rich soil. Give your soil lots of leaf mulch, and it’s sure to reward you with hardy roots and lush growth.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Properly Mulch Leaves on Your Lawn in Massachusetts
Mulching leaves is a simple process any lawn owner in Massachusetts can manage. Here are the four steps to a perfectly mulched fall lawn:
- Wait to mulch when the leaves are dry: Dry leaves are easier to shred and won’t clog your lawn mower, so plan to mulch on a sunny, dry day.
- Mow over the leaves until they are shredded into smaller pieces: We recommend chopping them down to about the size of a dime so your soil can do the rest of the breakdown process.
- Spread 2-3 inches of the leaf mulch over garden beds by hand: Excess leaf mulch can be used to cover garden topsoil around the base of perennial plants to keep in moisture and heat.
- Monitor your lawn for signs of mold or rodents: Mulching leaves will reduce your chances of seeing disease or unwanted critters seekign shelter, but it’s still important to keep an eye out for signs of illness. Too much leaf mulch can encourage them and harm the turf grass canopy.
Just remember: a healthy lawn requires a well-rounded lawn care plan. Mulching is a fantastic way to deal with an influx of leaf matter. However, lawns still need fall aeration and overseeding to thrive next spring. After surviving a summer of intense heat and quick growth, we always recommend that homeowners prepare their lawns for the winter season with a winterization. Lawn owners can also feel good about their choice to mulch leaves and prep their lawns by expecting a stronger spring green-up next year.
Schedule Fall Lawn Care Services for Your Lawn Today!
At MissionGreen, we’re committed to revitalizing sun-stricken and stressed-out lawns across New England. If your lawn needs a pick-me-up after a hot Massachusetts summer, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today to learn more about your lawn’s fall needs and get a FREE quote for the turf treatment it deserves.
