Who likes doing fall leaf clean up? After all, the piles of fallen leaves on the lawn give your home the perfect autumnal look. But, as beautiful as the multicolored blanket of leaves might look, the truth is you don’t want the leaves to sit on your lawn for too long because your lawn needs air and light in order to thrive and grow.
Why Is Fall Leaf Clean Up So Important?
If you fail to pick up and remove the leaves before winter’s snow arrives, then by spring, chances are strong you’ll have brown, dead patches of grass. Need more reasons to stay up with your fall leaf removal? Here are five more benefits of fall leaf clean up.
Leaves Are Ideal for Starting a Compost Pile
Collect the leaves and use them to start a compost pile. They break down quickly, so by next spring, you’ll have a nice supply of nutrient-rich compost for all your planting endeavors.
Fall Leaf Removal Keeps the Leaves Out of Waterways
When leaves aren’t bagged, they can get into the drainage systems where they enter the local waterways. Once in the water, they start to degrade, causing dramatic increases in nitrogen and phosphorus. This encourages the growth of algae, which robs the water of oxygen and this will cause existing water plants and aquatic animals to die.
Some Fallen Leaves Are Bad for Trees
Fallen leaves from diseased trees can contaminate other trees if they’re left on the ground to rot over the winter. Although the diseases usually go dormant when the weather turns cold, they spring back to life once the temperatures start climbing again.
Insects Love Wet Leaves
When leaves are left on the surface of the lawn, they can create an insulative blanket that protects insects over the winter. This can lead to higher populations of fleas, mosquitos, and other insects come spring. Snails and slugs also love to lay their eggs in soggy leaves.
Wet Leaves Pose Risks for People and Autos
Leaves that are blown onto the road or on walkways can turn slippery after a rain. The more the leaves degrade, the slipperier they become. With this increased level of slipperiness also comes a higher risk of someone slipping while walking, or a car losing traction. By keeping your lawn clean of fallen leaves, you’ll keep the leaves from blowing around, making your walkways and driveways safer as a result.
Tired of Cleaning Leaves Out of Your Gutters? Try Thompson Creek’s Gutter System
If you don’t mind raking leaves but you hate cleaning them out of your gutters, then Thompson Creek’s gutter system may be perfect for you. Our gutter system features a unique gutter hood that is designed to shed leaves and debris out, while keeping your gutters clean and clear. Imagine, no more seasonal gutter cleaning!
Plus, our gutter system is installed as one seamless trough, so you’ll never have to worry about your gutters leaking, clogging or pulling away from your home. To learn more about our innovative gutter system or to get a free estimate for professional installation, contact Thompson Creek today.