Whenever the fall season arrives, every homeowner can expect leaves on their property. However, when it comes to removing them from the lawn, some homeowners are actually conflicted. On one side, some homeowners prefer a clean lawn but others claim that leaves are natural fertilizers and should be left where they fall. According to landscaping experts, however, both sides are actually right and there are a few factors that can help you decide if you should remove dead leaves from your lawn or not.
Here, Sherwood Gardens discusses how you can decide if you should remove the fallen leaves on your lawn.
Type of Leaf
One factor that will help you determine if you should remove the fallen leaves from your lawn is its type. No property has the same kind of plants and trees so there’s no doubt that the type of leaf in your home will differ from your neighbor. The reason why the type of leaf is important in determining if they should be removed is because how they break down differs from one another.
For instance, oak leaves and pine needles won’t break down immediately as they have a lot of carbon and are acidic, meaning they’ll persist in the landscape for a long time and as such, should be removed. Maple or birch leaves, on the other hand, are thin and will break down quickly, making for good natural compost. If you’re still having difficulty in deciding, consider asking a landscaper for their input on what you should do about the leaves on your lawn.
Testing Method
On the other hand, if you’re the patient sort, you could test the different areas of your garden to determine if you should remove the leaves or leave them where they are. To accomplish this, consider leaving the leaves in your lawn until the winter season passes. If the results are favorable and the leaves managed to help your garden grow, then you might benefit from leaving the leaves where they are during the next fall season. If not, however, then consider removing most of them during the fall season.
Planning to install outdoor lighting on your property? Don’t hesitate to turn to Sherwood Gardens. When it comes to outdoor living and landscape design plans, we are the leading professionals to approach for assistance. Give us a call at (405) 212-5113 or fill out our contact form to start a conversation. We serve homeowners in Norman, OK, and other nearby areas in the state of Oklahoma.