What Should I Do with Fall Leaves?

Crisp autumn air, golden maples, and brilliant orange oaks create the perfect seasonal backdrop—until you notice the endless carpet of leaves covering your lawn. Your first instinct might be to grab those trash bags and start raking, but there’s a smarter approach. At Midwest Landscape, we’ve been helping homeowners like you create beautiful and healthy landscapes since 2007. We’re here to show you that instead of sending your fall leaves to the landfill, you can transform them into valuable resources that benefit your yard while saving you time and effort.

Why You Shouldn’t Just Bag and Trash Them

Bagging leaves for curbside pickup wastes valuable organic material that could improve your soil naturally. When leaves decompose in landfills, they produce methane—a greenhouse gas that’s harmful to the environment. You’re essentially throwing away nature’s free mulch and compost material.

However, you can’t simply ignore fallen leaves either. Thick, wet layers can suffocate your grass by blocking sunlight and air circulation. Heavy leaf coverage in shaded areas may promote mold growth or create hiding spots for pests that damage your landscape.

The solution? Work with your leaves, not against them.

Option 1: Mulch Them Into Your Lawn

Your regular lawn mower can transform fallen leaves into nutrient-rich lawn food. Simply mow over dry leaves when they cover about half your grass—the chopped pieces will filter down to soil level, decomposing throughout winter and releasing valuable nutrients come spring.

This method saves hours of raking while reducing next year’s weed growth. The leaf particles act as natural fertilizer, improving soil structure and moisture retention. For best results, mow when leaves are dry and tackle thick areas in multiple passes. Avoid creating dense mats that could smother the grass beneath.

Mulching works particularly well with smaller leaves like those from honey locust or ash trees, which break down quickly.

Option 2: Compost for Gardens & Flower Beds

Turn your leaf collection into gold for next year’s garden. Dry leaves provide the essential “brown” carbon material that balances nitrogen-rich “green” materials like grass clippings, vegetable scraps, or coffee grounds.

Create a simple compost system using a bin, tumbler, or designated pile in your yard. Layer leaves with green materials, keep the pile slightly moist, and turn it occasionally to speed decomposition. Within six to twelve months, you’ll have rich compost perfect for vegetable gardens, flower beds, and potted plants.

Oak, maple, and birch leaves work exceptionally well for composting, while waxy leaves from magnolia or eucalyptus decompose more slowly.

Option 3: Create Leaf Mold for Soil Health

Leaf mold, a partially decomposed form of leaves, creates an incredibly valuable soil amendment that retains moisture like a sponge while improving soil structure. Unlike traditional composting, leaf mold requires minimal effort and no additional materials.

Simply pile leaves in a corner of your yard, keep them slightly damp, and turn the pile every few months. The process takes six months to a year, but the results are worth waiting for. Leaf mold works particularly well around trees, shrubs, and perennial flower beds where moisture retention is crucial.

This method works with any leaf type and requires virtually no maintenance once established.

Option 4: Use as Protective Winter Mulch

Shredded leaves make excellent winter protection for tender plants, rose bushes, and flower bed perennials. The insulation helps plants survive temperature fluctuations while suppressing weed growth in spring.

Run leaves through your mower or shredder first to prevent matting, then spread them 2-3 inches thick around plants. Avoid piling leaves directly against tree trunks or plant stems, which can encourage pest problems.

Come spring, you can work the partially decomposed leaves into your soil or move them to your compost pile.

Keep Your Yard Healthy

Those autumn leaves scattered across your property aren’t a seasonal nuisance—they’re a free resource for creating a healthier, more beautiful landscape. Experiment with different methods to discover what works best for your yard’s specific needs and your maintenance preferences.

If heavy leaf coverage has damaged your lawn this season, Midwest Landscape can help restore it with professional seeding and sodding services. Contact us today to discuss how we can get your lawn back to its lush, green best.