Rake and remove fall yard debris

Why It Matters

A thick layer of leaves smothers the lawn, blocks sunlight, and traps moisture that breeds fungal disease over winter.

Tools

• Rake
• Leaf blower
• Lawn mower with mulching capability
• Tarp or lawn bags

How to Do It

1. Wait until most leaves have fallen before starting, so you're not repeating the work multiple times.
2. Clear leaves from garden beds, along fences, and other areas where they can mat down and trap moisture.
3. Rake leaves into manageable piles, or use a leaf blower to consolidate them across the lawn.
4. If your mower has a mulching setting, run it over a thin layer of leaves to chop them into small pieces that break down into the soil.
5. For heavier accumulations, collect the leaves into bags or onto a tarp for easier transport.
6. Compost leaves in a backyard bin, or bag them for municipal yard waste pickup.

Related Tasks

• Aerate and overseed lawn Once a year
• Apply perimeter pest repellent Once a year
• Clear debris from yard Once a year
• Fertilize lawn Once a year
• Mulch garden beds Once a year