Fall Leaf Clean-up Tips & Motivation

The summer heat is winding down, and we are officially enjoying the cooler temps of FALL in Tennessee! Fall means tailgating, football games, roasting s'mores, sweater weather, and the gorgeous colors of the changing leaves. It also means that those beautiful leaves will begin falling all over our lawns. We've compiled some tips & motivation for you as you work on conquering your fall leaf clean-up (we'd be happy to do your leaf clean-up and removal for you!).

NEED SOME MOTIVATION?

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO REMOVE FALLEN LEAVES?

Removing leaves is essential to maintain the health and appearance of your lawn. When leaves accumulate on the grass, they can block sunlight and airflow, which can lead to the grass becoming weak and susceptible to diseases. Leaf removal helps maintain a healthy and vibrant lawn.

Leaves that fall onto garden beds can smother plants, block sunlight, and create a habitat for pests and diseases. Removing leaves from garden beds helps to prevent these issues and keeps your plants healthy.

REDUCING MOLD AND MILDEW

In damp and shaded areas, leaves can promote the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your health and the structural integrity of

your home. Removing leaves from such areas helps prevent mold and mildew growth.

PEST CONTROL

Leaves provide shelter and food for various pests, including rodents and

insects. Removing leaf litter can reduce the habitat and food sources for these pests, helping to control infestations.

SAFETY

Wet leaves on walkways, driveways, and sidewalks can be slippery and pose a slipping hazard. Removing leaves from these areas improves safety, especially during the rainy season.

PREVENTING CLOGS

Leaves can clog gutters, storm drains, and downspouts. This can lead to water overflow and damage to your home's foundation, roof, and siding. Regularly removing leaves from these areas helps prevent clogs and potential water damage.

FIRE PREVENTION

In areas prone to wildfires, dry leaves and debris can be a significant fire hazard. Removing leaves and keeping your property clear of flammable materials can reduce the risk of wildfires spreading to your home.

IMPROVING AESTHETICS

Leaves can create a messy and unkempt appearance in your yard or garden. Regular leaf removal can help maintain an attractive and well-groomed outdoor space.

BUT RAKING IS EXHAUSTING! IS THERE AN EASIER WAY?!

TIPS FOR EASIER FALL LEAF REMOVAL

1) THE EASIEST WAY

The easiest way to make your leaves disappear without being exhausted is obviously to call Homeworkx Outdoor and let us do the hard work for you! We offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and one-time leaf removal service options. Contact us to set up your leaf-removal services, then you can kick back and enjoy tailgating or watching your favorite team while knowing your leaves will be taken care of.

2) WAIT UNTIL LEAVES ARE DRY

Raking up wet leaves is more exhausting, time-consuming, and messy. Wait until the fallen leaves are dry before you start to rake them into piles. Just like you shouldn't mow wet grass, you shouldn't rake wet leaves either. You may accidentally do damage to your lawn.

3) USE A MULCHING MOWER

If you have only a light scattering of leaves, you may be able to get away with just mowing over your lawn with a mulching mower.

You only want to do this on dry leaves, and if the fallen leaves are already too dense on your lawn, this likely will not work, but it's a great back-saving option if you do it early and often!

Plus your mulching mower shreds the leaves up, making them easy to bag or add to your compost pile.

4) INVEST IN A GOOD RAKE

Spend a few extra dollars to get a good, large, and sturdy rake that won't break easily. Your local hardware store should have some great options. We generally prefer the large poly rakes over metal options.

5) USE A LEAF BLOWER

If you want to save your back from bending over, it might be a good idea to invest in a leaf blower. Remember to keep the size of your lot in mind when choosing your leaf blower. The bigger your lot, the more power you may need to really tackle all the leaves! Here's a helpful guide to different types of leaf blowers.

We recommend using your leaf blower to blow your leaves into piles, and then using a rake and tarp to remove them from your lawn.

6) USE A TARP

Speaking of tarps, they can be your secret weapon for removing a large pile of leaves at once! Once you have raked or blown your leaves into a large pile, you still need to get those piles off your lawn so they won't kill your grass. A tarp can help you transport them to a compost pile or into large paper leaf sacks.

The easiest way to move a pile is to have at least two people helping, with each person grabbing 2 corners of the tarp and carrying it together. To transfer leaves into bags, make a funnel with one end of the tarp and funnel them straight into the bag.

7) USE A LEAF VAC

Another way to get all the leaves off your lawn is with a Leaf Vacuum. These are similar to a leaf blower, but instead of blowing the leaves around, they actually suck them up into an attached bag.

These can be so fun and satisfying to use as you literally get to watch your leaves disappear from your lawn. Here's a helpful guide to some great Leaf Vacuum options.

8) GET STARTED EARLY

As much as it may be tempting to "wait until all the leaves fall" and only rake them up one time, the reality is that the earlier you get started raking and removing your fall leaves, the easier the task will be. The longer they sit on your grass, the more damage they will do. Some leaves don't fall until deep into winter, so early and often is really the best approach to fall leaf removal.

It's also pretty hard to aerate and over-seed a lawn that's covered in leaves, but we know those are important steps in your fall lawn care to maintain a lush, green lawn, as we mentioned in our Year-Round Lawn Care Plan.

9) MAKE IT A FAMILY CHORE

Encourage your kids to help! Many hands make light work, right? When they're little, make it fun by getting them a kid-sized rake and rewarding their hard work with some time to jump in a big leaf pile. As they get older, it's a great way to teach them the value of hard work and spend some time working hard so you can all play hard later as a family. You can even financially motivate them with some extra chore money! They'll get to learn first-hand the feeling of satisfaction after a job well done.

Need Fall Leaf Clean-Up Services in Knoxville?

How ever you decide to clean up your leaves this fall, we hope you take some time to sit back and enjoy the beautiful colors of the changing leaves this autumn.

If you're in Knoxville, TN, Farragut, TN or a nearby area, and you don't have the time or energy to tackle your leaves this fall, Homeworkx Outdoor would love to do it for you. Just reach out to us and we can help you figure out which leaf-removal plan is best for you.

Homeworkx Outdoor is your Knoxville Leaf Removal Service Pros.