Fall is that time of year when your trees decide to shed their leaves, and although it can look very pretty, most homeowners who have a yard lined with trees need to think of some smart ways to deal with the ensuing red, brown and gold debris.
If you are one such homeowner struggling to work out what to do with the leaves on your property, check out our fall leaf management ideas below:
1. Use Nature’s Free Art Supplies
If you have kids, then you can use all of those fallen leaves (well maybe not all of them, but a lot) to entertain the kids by turning them into a fun, natural craft material. For example, you could collect a bunch of fallen fall leaves and use them to create leaf rubbings by simply placing paper over the leaves and having your kids rub them with crayons to capture those intricate veins on the foliage.
You could also use fall leaves to make a collage that you can hang up to decorate for the season, or even turn those leaves into a pretty Autumnal wreath to hang on your front door.
And for the sentimental among us, why not preserve a few particularly beautiful leaves by pressing them in a book? It’s like capturing a piece of fall that you can keep all year long.
2. Fertilize Your Lawn
Before you grab that rake and start bagging up all the leaves in sight, consider this: leaves are like free fertilizer for your lawn. That’s right—those leaves are packed with nutrients that your grass would love to soak up.
Instead of throwing them out, mow over them a few times with your lawnmower. The mower will shred the leaves into tiny pieces that can decompose quickly, returning valuable nutrients like nitrogen to your soil. It’s called mulching, and it’s an easy, eco-friendly way to keep your lawn healthy without having to buy expensive fertilizers.
Plus, mulching your leaves means less raking, fewer trips to the curb, and no more wasted weekend afternoons. Your lawn will be healthier, and you’ll be happier. It’s a win-win.
3. Compost Those Leaves
If you’re into gardening (or just trying to become more eco-conscious), consider adding those fallen leaves to your compost pile. Leaves are an excellent source of carbon, which helps balance the nitrogen-rich material (like food scraps) in your compost.
Just pile them up, mix in some green materials like grass clippings or kitchen scraps, and let nature do the rest. Over time, those leaves will break down into rich, crumbly compost that you can use to improve your garden soil. Composting leaves reduces waste, creates nutrient-rich soil, and is way easier than bagging them up for disposal.
Pro tip: Shredding the leaves first helps them break down faster. A quick run over them with your lawnmower before tossing them into the compost pile will do the trick.
4. Protect Your Gutters with LeafFilter
We all know that one of the worst parts of fall (besides the fact that winter is coming) is cleaning out the gutters. Clogged gutters are not only gross, but they can also lead to water damage, foundation issues, and other costly home repairs. That’s where LeafFilter Gutter Protection comes in.
Instead of spending your Saturdays climbing a ladder and scooping out wet, decaying leaves, let LeafFilter from Leaf Home, do the work for you. LeafFilter is a state-of-the-art gutter protection system that blocks leaves, dirt, and debris from clogging your gutters, while still allowing water to flow through freely. Once it’s installed, you can say goodbye to gutter cleanouts forever—yes, forever.
Not only will LeafFilter keep your gutters functioning properly, but it will also help prevent the kinds of water damage that can turn into big, expensive headaches down the road. In other words, it’s a small investment now that saves you time, money, and frustration later.
5. Rake Up and Create Leaf Mulch for Your Garden
If you’ve already mulched your lawn and composted as many leaves as possible, consider making leaf mulch for your garden. Leaf mulch is great for insulating plants during the colder months, helping to retain moisture in the soil and protect the roots from freezing temperatures.
Simply rake up the leaves, shred them with a lawnmower or leaf shredder, and spread the mulch around your garden beds or over your perennials. The leaves will break down slowly over the winter, feeding your plants and improving your soil’s health. Your garden will thank you come spring.
And if you don’t have a garden, check with local community gardens or neighbors—they might be more than happy to take some of that leaf mulch off your hands!
6. Create a Cozy Fall Vibe with Leaf Piles
Not everything about fallen leaves has to be about work or productivity. Sometimes, you just need to embrace the fun side of fall. If you’ve got a yard full of leaves, why not make the biggest, fluffiest leaf pile you can and just dive in?
Sure, it’s something you probably did as a kid, but there’s no reason adults can’t enjoy it too! Grab the family, build an epic pile, and take turns jumping in. It’s good, clean fun that will make you feel like a kid again—and it’s the kind of simple pleasure that makes fall so special.
Plus, once everyone’s done playing, those leaves can go right into the compost, mulch, or even the leaf crafts mentioned earlier. Who said fun can’t be practical?
7. Consider Leaf-Free Landscaping
If you’re really not a fan of dealing with leaves year after year, it might be time to rethink your landscaping. Consider planting more evergreen trees that don’t drop as many leaves, or adding hardscape features like patios, stone paths, or decks that require less leaf cleanup.
You could even go the extra mile and install synthetic grass—no leaves, no mowing, and no fuss. It’s not for everyone, but it’s an option if you’re tired of battling leaves every fall.
As you can see, falling leaves really don’t have to be the bane of your fall existence, so sit back and sip some pumpkin spice!