Everyone wants a beautiful yard, but most people don’t get the results they want because they feel they lack the know-how. Here are a few simple changes you can make in your fall yard care, that will help you get a more beautiful yard in an eco-friendly way with a limited investment of time and effort by putting your fall leaves to work in your yard.

1. Shred your leaves and leave them on your lawn as you mow this fall. As long as you can see the grass through the leaf pieces, the lawn will be fine. In this way you will receive a triple benefit by cutting the grass, recycling your leaves and improving the soil all with just by one pass of your lawn mower.

According to a nationally known horticulturist and gardening expert, Shredding leaves and leaving them on the lawn is really good for the grass and it will also save you time. As the leaves break down they add organic matter to the soil, they improve drainage in clay soil and water holding ability in sandy soils. It’s a great way to recycle and reduce your work load.

2. Use any extra fall leaves as mulch for your perennials. Leave your perennials standing for the winter as the seed heads add beauty to the winter landscape and provide food for the birds. Research has also found when they are left standing they are better able to tolerate the rigors of winter. So shred your leaves with your mower and spread a layer over the soil to conserve moisture and insulate the perennials’ roots. Not only are the leaves free, but using them as mulch is good for your garden and the environment. Fall mulching also gives you a jump on next spring’s landscape chores.

3. Shredded leaves also make a good mulch for over your bulbs. After planting your daffodils, tulips and hyacinths this Fall in preparation for a little extra color next spring, cover them with leaf mulch, then sprinkle on a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer like Milorganite and water. The low nitrogen slow release fertilizer promotes rooting without stimulating fall growth subject to winter kill. The leaf mulch helps conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature fluctuations and then as it breaks down it also improves the soil.

4. Dig leaf mulch into your vacant annual flower and vegetable gardens. You will be amazed at how quickly these leaves turn into organic matter and improve your garden’s soil. Add a little slow release fertilizer to feed the microorganisms and speed up their decomposition.

5. Use shredded leaves in your compost pile. Combining fall leaves with other plant waste, a bit of soil, and a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer like Milorganite creates exceptional compost. Recycling yard waste saves time bagging, hauling and disposing of debris that is considered reusable or (green). You also reduce or eliminate the need to buy fertilizer or additives to improve your existing garden soil.

So put away the bags and find creative ways to save time and money as well as the environment as you put your fall leaves to work in your yard this year.

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