Fallen leaves on the ground, if not raked or chopped up with a lawn mower, can suffocate the lawn depriving it of light and air. By shredding them with a lawn mower you will get a protective and nutritious mulch for the grass, while cleaning the lawn at the same time. Consider it a good growing practice.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Grind the leaves
Step 1. Use a lawn mower with rotating blades
Everyone is fine, especially the high-powered ones and those who dump the shredded one side.
- If you want to leave the shredded leaves on the ground to enrich it, remove the collection bag behind the mower. Pay close attention to the blades.
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If you want to use mulch differently, leave the bag attached. That way you don't have to rake in later.
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Step 2. Scatter the shredded leaves
If you want to leave them as mulch on the ground, spread them evenly over the entire area with a rake. If you're lucky, the trees will already have done this job on their own.
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If you want to remove the leaves for use elsewhere, rake them all in one pile for easier harvesting.
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Alternatively, you can leave the bag attached to the mower. You may be forced to empty it many times, depending on the amount of leaves present.
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Step 3. Adjust the blades to a height of 7.5 cm and pass over the foliage
You will need to break up the leaves until they are cut into pieces about the size of a dime. You may have to pass the lawn mower several times to do this. In subsequent passes it alternates the cutting direction. If you went up and down the first time, the second time you went from right to left.
Step 4. Leave a 2-3cm layer of shredded grass on the lawn
If you want to leave the leaves as mulch, this is the ideal thickness. With time and rain it will decompose.
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If the layer is too thick, put the bag back on and go over the mower. This way, you will get rid of some of the mulch.
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Alternatively, you can use a rake.
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Step 5. Add fertilizer to mulch
It is good to fertilize at the same time as mulching, you will notice the difference in the spring. A winter fertilizer is suitable for the autumn period. These fertilizers are particularly rich in potassium.
Part 2 of 2: How to Use Mulch
Step 1. Because leaves are great mulch
The leaves are suitable for this purpose because they are found in abundance and are easy to break up, as well as offering all the characteristics of commercial mulches: they stop weeds, protect the roots of plants during the winter and keep the soil moist.
Step 2. Choose how to use your leaves
There are two possibilities: you can leave them on the lawn to enrich it, or you can rake them or pick them up with the lawnmower to use them elsewhere in your garden. You can put them under any plant, under hedges or bushes.
Step 3. To enrich the lawn
If you leave the leaves on the ground after shredding them, you will be doing your lawn a favor. The leaves will release nutrients into the soil.
- Even if the leaves decompose on their own on the ground, shredding them will speed up the process, especially if they are mixed with grass clippings. This is what happens when you use a lawn mower.
- Fall is the right time to do this job. This way the leaves will also protect the tree roots during the winter.
Step 4. Other uses in the garden
The leaves also do well under garden plants. Spread a 7-10cm layer under the plants, watering earlier if the weather has recently been dry.
- If you are replacing the old mulch, first remove any remnants from the previous year before adding more.
- You can also put the leaves in the compost bin.
Warnings
- If you remove the bag from the mower, leaves and grass can splash all over the place! Wear old clothes and protective eyewear.
- If you have animals, you should clean the lawn first, otherwise you risk spreading their droppings as well.
