After spending your summer maintaining a yard full of lush, green grass, you may be looking forward to putting all your lawn care equipment away for the winter. Before you do, though, it’s important to tend to the fall leaves. While they may not seem harmful, they can do some damage to your lawn if you leave them into the winter. Here’s what you need to know to keep your lawn healthy.

Is It Necessary to Rake Leaves Before Winter?

Risks of Leaves Covering Your Grass 

Allowing leaves to accumulate and form a thick blanket on your lawn will block it from getting all the sunlight and oxygen it needs to thrive. This increases the chance of dead patches developing and is likely to prevent new growth in spring.

Any leaves left on your lawn over winter will also be inviting to pests and fungal diseases, both of which can cause irreparable damage to your turf. There’s a safety issue as well: If piles of leaves become sodden from wet weather, they can turn patches of your lawn into mud and create a slipping hazard.

Using Leaves as Mulch 

While you want to avoid having a layer of leaves cover your yard, you don’t have to dispose of them. Instead, use your lawn care equipment to break them down into smaller pieces and distribute the clippings across your grass for mulch.

As the tiny bits of leaves biodegrade naturally, they’ll provide the soil with a good source of nutrients that’s great for plant growth. You’ll have taken a threat to your lawn and turned it into nourishment. 

If your lawn care equipment needs to be serviced or replaced after a long summer, now is the perfect time to visit Stanly Tractor Company. They’ll help ensure you have what you need to start maintaining your landscape once spring arrives again. For more than 50 years, they’ve provided property owners throughout the Albemarle, NC, area with high-quality products, parts, and tuneup services. Call (704) 983-1106 for information on lawn care equipment inventory or check out their website to view current promotions.