What to Do with Your Leaves this Fall?

Milford, NH Homeowner Asks for Help

A big part of fall clean-up is finding ways to dispose of the fallen leaves that have accumulated in the yard. If you have a lawn mower with a bag attachment, you can simply mow them and then dispose of the ground-up leaves that were collected in the bag. A leaf blower or old-fashioned rake will allow you to pile the leaves. They can then be bagged to be composted or recycled by your local community.

A homeowner in Milford was overwhelmed with the quick accumulation of leaves in her yard. Looking for suggestions, she contacted Souhegan Valley Tree Service.

Don’t Just Let the Leaves Rot Until Spring

It can be tempting to just let the leaves stay where they fall and deal with them in the spring. However, this thick layer of leaves can cause the grass to die by blocking sunlight and air from getting through. Fallen, decaying leaves can also attract pests and lead to fungal diseases. This can affect your grass, as well as the surrounding plants and trees.

The Best Ways to Recycle Leaves

Some communities offer recycling days when leaves and other yard debris will be picked up curbside. Other towns have an area where this can be dropped off with open hours once or twice each month. Your fall leaves can also be composted. Designate an area of the yard, or a bin, for composting. You can add leaves, sticks, pine needles, grass and other debris. This will break down, leaving you left with nutrient rich soil that is perfect for gardening. This compost also makes a great mulch for plants, trees and other areas of the yard.

The homeowner in Milford opted to collect the leaves with a rake, placing them in a compost bed. This can then be used to fertilize her plants and garden in the spring.