What do to when your yard becomes a leaf graveyard
The time it takes leaves to decompose in your yard ranges from one to three years, with smaller broken pieces decomposing faster than intact leaves.
Expect to pay $190 to $1,000 for professional yard cleanup and leaf removal services, with costs as low as $40 for smaller jobs.
You can speed up leaf decomposition by raking fallen leaves into sunny spots and keeping them moist with water from a hose or watering can.
Hiring a local leaf removal professional keeps your yard tidy and provides composting guidance or complete removal services based on your needs.
When autumn is over, and the once bright and beautiful leaves have all fallen to the ground, you may be feeling impatient about their lingering presence in your yard. On average, it takes leaves about one to three years to fully decompose. If leaves are already broken into smaller pieces, it takes less time, whereas if they are fully intact, it will take closer to the three-year mark.
If you’re wondering what to do with leaves in your yard, here are three options to make the most of them—or get them out of your sight.
The first thing you can do with decomposing leaves is pretty simple: compost them. Compost is a natural fertilizer made from organic materials that can help support soil. Decomposing leaves are a great organic ingredient if you want to make compost for your garden. Learning how to make compost is easier than you might think, too.
Mulch and compost are often used synonymously, but they are different. While compost is put beneath the soil to fertilize the ground, mulch is the topsoil layer you’d find in a garden. Mulch can be both organic and inorganic, but if you have decomposing leaves in your yard, you can go the organic route by using them to make mulch.
If you’re not a gardener or simply not interested in DIY compost and mulching but still want to get rid of decomposing leaves, you can hire a leaf removal service.
Whether your curiosity about how long it takes leaves to decompose is because the leaves don’t fit your yard’s aesthetic, or you’re just keen to make the most of them, composting them is a good idea. Not only does it have a positive impact on soil structure and water retention, it can also supply nutrients to the soil and minimize weeds.
If you opt to use decomposing leaves as mulch for your soil, managing them is free. However, if you’re not up for this task and want to hire someone to rake leaves or otherwise remove the leaves from your yard, the cost of yard clean up depends on the scope of the service and size of your yard.
On average, the cost to hire someone to clean up your yard ranges from $190 to $1,000 but can cost as little as $40. You can also opt to hire an independent worker who specializes in leaf removal specifically and potentially get a better price for the service. Check out leaf removal services near you to find the best option for your needs.
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