The Benefits of Using Leaves as Mulch
Why Use Leaves Instead of Mulch?
Using leaves as mulch on Raleigh lawns makes sense on so many levels:
- It is completely free if the leaves come from your own lawn
- You don’t have to worry about transporting anything to or from your lawn
- Leaves have important trace minerals that the tree pulled from your soil and can be recycled back in
- They decompose quickly and don’t grow fungus as readily
- Leaves prevent evaporation, keeping better soil moisture
It is common practice among lawn experts to shred their leaves and use them as a mulch. That is because many of these benefits cannot be said of whole leaves. So, what additional benefit comes from shredding the leaves before using them as mulch?
Why Shred Leaves?
Actually, there are many reasons shredded leaves make much better mulch than full leaves. For one, full leaves block in so much air and water that it can suffocate the lawn’s growth. The excess moisture cannot evaporate and fungi form. There is also a possibility of matting as they bunch together. Whole leaves do not disintegrate as quickly, either, so they cannot improve lawn fertility as readily.
For best results, gather your leaves and find a way to shred them as finely as possible. There are leaf mulching machines that are specifically designed for the job, but others use their lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Overall, finely shredded leaves are a perfect mulch for around flower beds and trees because of the low cost, convenience, and effectiveness they provide.
Those in Apex, Cary, Garner, Clayton, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Johnston County, Wake County, Wake Forest or the surrounding areas, can rely on Barefoot Lawn Care as local experts in mulching and fertilization.