After all the recent windy days, most of the trees have lost their leaves. While it’s not necessary to pick up every last leaf off your lawn, it is important not to leave too many. Leaves damage lawns and other plants by covering them and blocking sunlight. Even in the winter when plants aren’t growing, they need sunlight to photosynthesize (make food). Without it, they die. If you need help cleaning up the last of the leaves, it’s not too late to schedule a cleanup.

Leaves can be beneficial to a lawn – IF they are thoroughly chopped. Besides the plant-essential nutrients held in the tissues, leaves that are chopped and left on the ground will help retain soil moisture, reduce erosion and control weeds. And if you compost the leaves, you can spread the compost in the spring to help loosen the tight clay soil that is so prevalent around here