In autumn you spend all day in the garden, raking, collecting and toiling. The next morning, however, there is no sign of your work. When the trees shed their leaves, the foliage takes on astonishing proportions. Soon all the garden bags will be filled. Tips for collecting the leaves, why it is urgently necessary and how to properly dispose of your leaves can be found on this page.
Why should you remove leaves and how?
Leaves should be removed to prevent slipping hazards for passers-by and to provide the lawn with sufficient light and oxygen. Methods for leaf removal include lawn tractor, leaf picking, leaf sweeping and leaf raking. Special tips apply in gravel beds.
Remove leaves or not?
Pro
- Use leaves as natural fertilizer
- Use leaves as frost protection
- Shelter for hedgehogs and beneficial insects
Contra
- Danger of slipping for passers-by
- Water and air removal for the floor underneath
You need to remove the leaves here
If you look at the two counter-arguments, it becomes clear where you absolutely have to remove the leaves. On the one hand, you are legally obliged to clear the sidewalk (sometimes the street) in front of your property of leaves. If you neglect this obligation and personal injury or property damage occurs, your insurance will not cover the costs. The exact regulations vary from municipality to municipality. It's best to contact your local authority and take a look at the tips in this guide. It's in your own interest to remove the leaves on the lawn. Unlike plants, grass does not require winter protection. On the contrary, sufficient light and oxygen are essential to prevent brown spots from appearing on the lawn in spring.
Methods
Many gardeners would prefer to avoid picking up leaves because they believe it requires a lot of time and effort. This need not be. You can find out how well each method has proven to work using the following links:
- Removing leaves with the lawn tractor
- Pick up leaves
- Sweeping leaves
- raking leaves
If you not only want to clear your lawn but also gravel beds of leaves, you will find helpful tips here.
