Have you ever wondered what happens if you don’t remove fallen leaves in your yard? Skipping leaf cleanup can result in several problems, from lawn health issues and drainage problems to pests, weeds, and fire hazards. Not to mention, a buildup of leaves can seriously impact your home’s curb appeal.
How fallen leaves hurt your yard
You may not think much of fallen leaves in your yard, but leaving them alone can cause several problems. Here are some side effects of not raking, mulching, or bagging leaves on time:
Create lawn health issues
Fallen leaves can smother your lawn by blocking air, sunlight, and water, resulting in weak or dead turf. This issue gets worse if you skip leaf removal in winter, as the lack of sunlight and airflow lasts longer.
Besides smothering, as wet leaves sit on the grass, they create a cool, damp environment for mold, fungi, and pathogens to thrive. Some common diseases caused by excess moisture include:
Invite pests
The longer you leave fallen leaves in your yard, the higher the risk of a pest infestation. As they break down, leaves can invite any of the following intruders:
Pests are drawn to fallen and/or decomposing leaves for these reasons:
- Leaves hold moisture, attracting insects that prefer damp environments.
- As they break down, leaves turn into organic matter that many insects like to feed on.
- The thicker the leaf pile is, the more pests are drawn to it. It provides them with cover from predators and protection from the environment, such as wind and sunlight.
Create an environment for weed growth
A thick layer of leaves covers the soil and creates a moist environment ideal for weed seeds. It protects any emerging seedlings from being disturbed or consumed by wildlife.
Weeds spread quickly and compete with your grass for sunlight, nutrients, and water. This can weaken the grass and make it more difficult to maintain a healthy lawn. Not removing leaves can help weeds spread and create bigger infestations next season.
Cause drainage problems
Another issue you may encounter if you don’t remove fallen leaves is drainage problems. These include:
- Clogged yard drains: When leaves pile up in yard drains, they block water flow to the lawn or garden. Instead, water pools around the blockage, damaging nearby plants, flooding parts of the yard, eroding the soil, and causing mud.
- Driveway damage: If standing water reaches your driveway, it can cause asphalt deterioration, such as cracks or structural issues.
- Safety risks: As surface water builds up due to poor drainage, it can become a nuisance or slipping hazard (especially in colder climates, where it can freeze).
- Mosquitoes: Stagnant water can also attract mosquitoes, increasing the risk of disease and making things unpleasant for you.
- Municipal water problems: Excess leaves and debris can cause street clogs and large-scale flooding. Plus, they can contaminate water supply systems if they carry organic matter or toxins.
- Clogged gutters: When leaves pile up in gutters, water can’t flow away from your roof and foundation. As it overflows, it can cause leaks and water damage inside your home.
Create fire hazards
Large piles of dry leaves are a serious fire risk, especially in drought or windy conditions. Once ignited, they can catch fire and spread quickly from one pile to another.
A fire can easily spread and ignite wooden siding, roofing, decks, fences, outdoor furniture, or sheds. Leaves stuck in your gutters, for example, can put your home at risk if they catch fire from nearby embers, like from a wildfire.
Reduce curb appeal
In real estate, how your home looks is important if you’re trying to sell.
In fact, if leaves cover your yard, they can hide beautiful landscaping features such as your lush, green lawn, flower beds, shrubs, and other decorative elements. It could make buyers think the home isn’t properly maintained.
According to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), well-maintained properties can sell for 15 percent to 20 percent more than simpler, less attractive yards.
FAQ about the effects of leaving fallen leaves in your yard
What are the best ways to remove fallen leaves from your yard?
Some good ways to remove fallen leaves from your yard include:
- Raking or mulching the leaves
- Blowing the leaves with a leaf blower
- Vacuuming the leaves
What should I do if leaves regularly block my gutters?
To address this issue effectively for the long term:
- Clean your gutters at least twice a year, usually in the spring and fall. If you have trees nearby, you may have to clean them more often.
- Trim branches that extend over your gutters to help keep leaves out.
- Check your gutters for debris after storms or heavy rain.
- Install gutter guards to improve water flow and prevent clogs. These can be micro mesh, mesh, brush, foam, or reverse-curve guards.
- Clean your gutter downspouts; check for blockages and remove debris.
- Install downspout extensions to direct water away from your foundation and prevent pooling.
How do I know when to remove leaves?
Diana Alfuth, extension coordinator with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says, the best way to know if you need to remove leaves is to monitor your yard.
“If you have just a few leaves, such as 20 percent of the lawn covered, you can just ignore them. They will blow around, settle in, and break down on their own,” Alfuth says. “If you have a moderate amount of leaves, such as 50 percent coverage, you still don’t need to rake. If you have a thick layer of leaves, where you can barely see any signs of grass beneath them, then it’s best if you remove some of the leaves to prevent matting and smothering of the grass.”
“You don’t need to get every last leaf, but if you remove a significant amount of them, then you can mow the rest up and leave them on the lawn,” Alfuth says.
A local pro can help
If you’re not a fan of leaf removal, Lawn Love can connect you with a local leaf removal professional who can do it for you. They can also handle disposal, so it’s worth checking out.
Plus, a local lawn care expert can offer guidance and help with aeration, dethatching, weed control, fertilization, and seeding.
Main Image Credit: evannovostro | Adobe Stock Free | License
