TO RAKE OR NOT TO RAKE?

Posted on by gardeninglife365

To rake or not to rake? Is that really the question? Today, there are varying opinions on leaf removal methods and whether raking is the solution. But the larger discussion is whether to remove leaves at all. Some believe that removing leaves is an environmental issue, from the problems caused in landfills to disrupting the natural habitat of animals and insects. While, yes, these are concerns, removing leaves is necessary under certain circumstances.

When yards accumulate a large number of leaves, they can smother grass and cause damage to lawns. Leaf damage can include preventing newly planted grass seeds from sprouting and killing existing turf. Both of these issues can leave patchy areas and bare spots on lawns.

Grass showing bare spots with leaves in a tree bed.
Seeds failed to sprout under leaves.

Bare spots after leaf removal.

Another instance when leaf removal is needed is when homeowners’ associations require homeowners to remove leaves and debris to keep curbside appeal.

Beautiful brown house with green grass and a flower garden and bloodgood Japanese maple in the front.
Beautifully landscape residential yard with green grass, full green trees and shrubs, a flower garden and black car in the background.

In these instances, leaf removal is necessary. So, what is the best method? Well, as mentioned earlier, there are differing opinions on how to remove leaves. The three main comparisons involve raking, blowing, or mowing.

Raking

Image of someone raking leaves with a rake and leaves in grass. Plants and mulch in the background.

Raking leaves is probably the most widely used method. Many agree that rakes are low-cost and offer a good form of exercise and calorie burn. However, some debate that raking can be harsh on grass. This is especially true for newly planted grass because it is delicate. Raking can harm new grass sprouts and cause them to die out.

Blowers are another popular method, but some believe they disrupt the natural environment too much. Critics point to blowers that use gas as pollutants to the environment. Other critics complain that blowers remove the top layer of mulch or soil and blow leaves and other debris into drains and sewers. But like raking, blowers can also provide health benefits, such as building muscles from carrying the weight of the blower to burning calories walking around.

Blowing

Person blowing leaves with a red and black blower out of a tree bed and off of patchy grass.

Mowing

Red riding mower cutting green grass with leaves in the grass and tree bed.

Mowing, however, seems to be the best option to address both sides of the issue on whether or not to remove fallen leaves. Mowing, particularly mulching, addresses the concern of removing excess leaves while it returns finely chopped leaves to the grass as fertilizer. Although even with mulching, you should consider whether enough time has passed for newly planted grass to germinate before mowing.

After considering these leaf removal methods, especially when raking or blowing, what should you do with the leaves you collect? Visit us next week to learn more about the 3 ways to dispose of fallen leaves.