Purdue News

October 31, 1997

Expert: Put those rakes away and mow those tree leaves

"The easiest way to dispose of leaves is to simply mow them into the turf," said Zac Reicher, a Purdue Cooperative Extension Service turfgrass specialist. "Regular mowing during the fall will chop the leaves into small pieces and allow them to filter into the turf."

Research at Purdue and other universities shows that tree leaves can be mulched into turf without any detrimental effects.

"Actually, just the opposite may be true, where tree leaf mulching may help improve your soil," Reicher said. "Mulching leaves with a mower is much easier than raking, blowing or vacuuming, plus it disposes of the leaves without filling up our landfills."

Regardless of the method you prefer, though, he says that the leaves can't stay on your lawn, because heavy layers of tree leaves will shade grass plants and can smother and kill them. In addition, a cover of leaves on the lawn can lead to a very damaging winter turf disease called snow mold.

More lawn and turf information, including weekly updates by Purdue turf experts, can be found on the Internet at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/agronomy/home.htm

CONTACT: Zac Reicher, (765) 494-9737; e-mail, zreicher@dept.agry.purdue.edu

Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; e-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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