WVII interviews Garland about whether raking leaves is necessary
Kate Garland, a horticulturist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with WVII (Channel 7) for the report, “Labor of fall: Is raking leaves necessary?” Garland said it’s beneficial for homeowners to leave a small layer of leaves covering the yard. “It is helpful for your grass in order for it to have more exposure to the sunlight because that grass is still photosynthesizing; gathering energy and putting it back to its root system so it can have a good chance at a good start next year,” she said. However, leaves should be cleaned up when piles start to grow more than a few inches, according to the report. Using a lawn mower to shred leaf pack also creates organic matter which helps the soil, the report states. “The leaves don’t add a lot of fertility in terms of the nutrient value but they do add good soil characteristics that improve the soil of the grass growing there,” Garland said, adding old leaves can also be used as mulch in gardens next year. “It suppresses the weeds but holds in the moisture as well — and it’s free.”