Want to make leaf removal a little easier this autumn? Instead of reaching for the rake and bin bags, pull out your lawn mower. Running the mower over the leaves chops them into small pieces, a process known as mulching. Not only is this easier than raking, but leaf mulch also has many benefits for your lawn, including the following:
- Improved soil structure, which will reduce how much chemical fertiliser you’ll need to apply.
- Better water retention, meaning you won’t need to irrigate as often.
- Weed suppression, so crabgrass, dandelion, and other lawn invaders compete less for water and nutrients.
How to mulch leaves with a mower
While mulching is as simple as going over leaves with the mower, our experts in the Good Housekeeping Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab have several tips that will help the process go more smoothly.
Prep your mower: Start by removing the bag. If your mower has a mulching mode, drop it into that setting, which is designed to chop grass clippings (or in this case, leaves) into tiny pieces that will decompose more readily on the lawn. You can mulch leaves with a non-mulching mower, but the larger chunks will take longer to break down, and it’s not a great look, if you’re fastidious about that kind of thing.
Prep the lawn: Walk the garden and remove any large sticks, stones, or other objects that could damage your mower’s blade or deck. Redistribute any deep piles of leaves with a rake to help the mower pass over them.
Check the weather: Mulching works best on dry leaves, so wait for a stretch of rain-free days, and avoid mulching first thing in the morning, when the lawn might be covered in dew. Even under the driest conditions, you might need to make a few passes with the mower to mulch every leaf.
