Do You Really Need To Rake Your Leaves? An Experts Weigh In

Raking leaves is a fall ritual. But is it a waste of time?

Author:
Kaitlyn McInnis
Oct 26, 2024

The shifting seasons from summer to fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year; the tapestry of blazing reds and oranges from the changing leaves will never not evoke a sense of awe and wonder within us.

But… then comes the piles and piles of dead leaves scattered over the lawn and the back-breaking work that comes along with it. Raking the leaves can quickly suck up hours from your weekend chore list if you have multiple maple or oak trees dotted throughout your property. The splendor of the changing colors from a few weeks ago suddenly seems a little less impressive when the remnants of dead leaves are filling up bag after bag in your backyard.

It’s pretty much assumed that you need to rake your leaves in order to have a clean and healthy home and yard—but do you actually need to put in all the work of cleaning them up? Taylor Green, sustainable construction expert and founder of Artificial Grass Solutions says, well, maybe not.

“Instead of raking them, leaves left to natural decomposition can actually benefit the soil, adding organic matter and providing soil health in the long term,” explains Green. “Leaves that decompose also provide insulation for your lawn and protect it from frost damage during winter.”

However, there are certain things to keep in mind should you be considering skipping raking the leaves on your lawn this year. Here are what experts had to say about the pros and cons of raking your leaves and exactly what to keep in mind if you decide to leave them on the ground.

What are the bigger risks of leaving your leaves on your lawn?

There are risks involved with deciding to leave the leaves on your lawn that you’ll want to weigh out before ultimately deciding to leave them or rake them, the biggest one being the potential damage that certain leaves can cause.

Too many leaves can block sunlight, trap excess moisture and cause mold growth, which can weaken the lawn over time.

It’s also worth considering the aesthetics. If you don’t live in a region that gets a lot of snow, for example, leaving a lot of leaves on your lawn for the season might look a little unsightly. The leaves will become wet and glossy and eventually break down into a nutrient-dense mulch—but the process isn’t exactly pretty and might make your yard look a little sloppy.

Key things to keep in mind if you choose to leave the leaves on your lawn.

Despite the potential risks, there are plenty of reasons to consider skipping raking for the season and seeing how it goes. Here are the main things you’ll want to consider when deciding whether to rake or not to rake:

Leaf Thickness Matters:

“If the leaf layer is more than 3-4 inches thick, it can cause problems such as mold growth and suffocation of plants or grass underneath,” says Green. “In these instances, a light raking or mulching may prevent potential damage.”

Consider Mulching Leaves With a Lawnmower

“Leaves can be mulched with a lawnmower, which breaks them into smaller pieces, allowing them to break down into the soil faster and provide a natural fertilizer,” says Green, adding that the leaves mulched can bring great nutrient value, such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, to the soil.

A Balanced Approach is Often the Best Strategy

“Mulching lighter leaf layers might be the way to go instead of raking and composting heavier layers,” adds Green. “If you do this, you keep a clean and healthy yard and don't generate massive waste.”