How To Properly Dispose of Leaves in Forney, Texas

Fall is in the air and we can see it on the trees. As our trees change for the season and put on their display of colors you need to be ready to pick up all those leaves. Fall is a time filled with lawn care and yard work. Once all those leaves fall in your yard, what do you do with them? Most people rake and bag them and leave them by the road. But leaves are valuable resources that you can reuse in your yard. Here are some useful ways you can recycle fall leaves and put them to use in your Texas landscapes. 

Why Do We Rake Leaves In The First Place?

Why should we even rake leaves in the first place? After all, don’t leaves blanket the forest floor in a natural environment? That may be true but forest floors don’t have yards or grass. When leaves blanket your lawn it can smother the grass and create conditions ideal for the growth of fungus and diseases. 

Make Your Own Mulch

In the wild, leaves blanketing a forest floor is a healthy and natural way for the tree to recycle nutrients. As the leaves decompose they add important nutrients back into the soil. In our yards, we can’t just let leaves sit on our lawn, but we can still reap the benefits. All you need to do is to chop up the leaves with a lawnmower. Go over the leaves several times until the material is very fine and can slip between the grass and settle on the ground. These fine particles will quickly break down and help feed your lawn in the spring and prevent weeds from germinating. 

Start Your Own Compost Pile

You can also collect all your leaves and store them for later use. This is called a compost pile. Maybe you already have one or maybe you’ve been curious about starting one. Fall leaves can make a huge contribution to your compost pile. Make sure to stir the pile once in a while to make sure everything is decomposing evenly. Before you know it, you will have fresh, healthy mulch that you can add to your gardens, trees, and flower beds. 

Start A Lasagna Garden

Many people dream of having their own garden and growing their own vegetables. The problem is getting started. Building a garden from scratch is a LOT of backbreaking work. First, you have to remove the sod which is a real pain. Then you have to remove rocks, and till the soil. After you have your garden tilled and outlined you can’t just plant in it. The soil in your garden is probably lacking a lot of nutrients since you removed the top layer of sod. Now you need to fertilize and re-till the soil. An easier method to make a garden from scratch is called a lasagna garden. The method works by layering grass clippings, fall leaves, and other organic matter on top of each other like you’re making lasagna. After the winter is over you should have a bed of freshly decomposed material ready for planting. If you already have an existing garden, using this method is a great way to fertilize your garden for next year. 

Only Burn Leaves As A Last Resort

Burning leaves can be a lot of fun but it also creates a lot of pollution and allergens. If you live in a suburban setting you shouldn’t burn your leaves at all if you value your relationship with your neighbors. Burning leaves creates a TON of smoke that can get into houses and stink the place up. Not to mention all the harmful particles that are in the air such as mold, soot, and allergens. Leaf burning is also a fire hazard. Dry leaves and burning embers float on the heat caused by fires and can travel long distances and start new fires. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, it is illegal to burn anything openly in Texas unless it’s for recreational purposes. 

For All Your Texas Lawn Care Needs, Call The Experts at Lawn Lab

If your lawn is showing signs of weakness or you just want to give your yard an extra boost, call the pros at Lawn Lab, we have everything we need to take care of your yard this fall. Our liquid aeration and ryegrass seeding programs are just what your Texas lawn needs to stay strong and healthy.

Secure your program today by calling us at (972) 287-7400 or easily request a free quote here. Check out our blog for monthly tips on lawn care, tree care, and pest control, and make sure to follow us on Facebook for the latest LawnLab deals and news.