If you mulch your leaves and forget about them, you might have a sour taste in your mouth next Summer and Fall. And give up on your lawn.
Composted leaves are wonderful for your lawn. Mostly. Our fertile topsoil (what is left of it) is a result of our land having been forest for years and years. Each year the leaves and dead branches would drop and enrich the forest soil.
Leaves are acidic and sour the soil, especially leaves from oak trees. Don’t blame the mighty oak; he was built to get high on acid. He takes care of himself by dropping acidic leaves. Turf, on the other hand, freaks out on acid and wilts in Summer stress. The organic matter from leaves is delightful, but too much acid is cruel to turf.
Get a soil test so you know actually how much lime your lawn needs to smooth its relationship with the mighty oak. You could blow off your leaves, but then you wouldn’t have the compost. Lime is way cheaper than good compost.
Lime is the Coconut Rum for sour leaves on your grass.
PS. Make sure your leaves are thoroughly mulched so they don’t snuff the grass. Wet matted leaves kill grass.
Coconut Rum Your Leaves
Composted leaves are wonderful for your lawn. Mostly. Our fertile topsoil (what is left of it) is a result of our land having been forest for years and years. Each year the leaves and dead branches would drop and enrich the forest soil.
Leaves are acidic and sour the soil, especially leaves from oak trees. Don’t blame the mighty oak; he was built to get high on acid. He takes care of himself by dropping acidic leaves. Turf, on the other hand, freaks out on acid and wilts in Summer stress. The organic matter from leaves is delightful, but too much acid is cruel to turf.
Get a soil test so you know actually how much lime your lawn needs to smooth its relationship with the mighty oak. You could blow off your leaves, but then you wouldn’t have the compost. Lime is way cheaper than good compost.
Lime is the Coconut Rum for sour leaves on your grass.
PS. Make sure your leaves are thoroughly mulched so they don’t snuff the grass. Wet matted leaves kill grass.
Posted by Paul Stoltzfus on 11/19 at 05:26 PM in Lawn Care Wise Living
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