A bit of rethinking about what you do with your leaves this fall will help your yard!
With Denver’s arid climate and the recent drought in Colorado, there is a heightened awareness and understanding of the need to retain moisture in our gardens and on our lawns. With Fall upon us nature is providing yet another valuable resource to help us improve our soil and aid in water retention … fallen leaves.
Below is a bit of information from
Denver Urban Gardens and the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Answer Link
Denver Urban Gardens
"A light layer of leaves (probably no more than an inch or so) may be left directly on lawns," states Judy Elliott, the Education and Community Empowerment specialist for Denver Urban Gardens. According to Judy, who is also the resident composting guru, "Mowing leaves in several directions, to break up large pieces, and then raking the residue to more evenly distribute them over the surface should be all that is needed. Fall aeration, followed by leaf mulch (mowed leaves), with possibly a sprinkling of compost will make for happy lawns and promote deeper rooting patterns.
Colorado State University Answer-Link
Click on the questions below and they will link directly to the answers or you can go directly to the Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Answer Link and search for the term "Leaf Mulch."
Question: What are the pro's and con's of raking leaves this fall (2002)? Would leaving them on the lawn help retain needed moisture or create molds/fungus? Is leaf mulch beneficial for flower beds?
Question: I have heard that mulching helps conserve water. How do I mulch, what should I mulch and which kind of mulch works well?