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If you want to take the decomposition process into your hands to speed it up, water and sunlight are key. Of course, you can’t control sunlight yourself, but you can rake leaves into piles in sunny spots in your yard. In terms of using water, you can also moisten the decomposing leaves with water, whether by pouring some from a watering can from time to time or using a hose to moisten them.

A pre-emergent herbicide is the most effective way to avoid stickers growing in your yard. However, if some manage to make it through, a post-emergent herbicide is the most effective way to kill them. However, environmental concerns exist when using chemicals on a lawn. Try vinegar or baking soda applications to kill sticker plants for a more natural yet still effective method.

Burning yard waste can be an efficient method for large amounts. However, burning has health and environmental risks. Smoke can aggravate respiratory conditions, expose you to carbon monoxide, and cause irritation. Fire produces greenhouse gases and may start wildfires. Minimize risks by burning clean, dry, natural materials. Stay upwind and monitor the fire closely.

It’s possible to over-mulch leaves. If the leaf mulch is thick enough that it’s blocking and smothering the grass, that’s a problem. Ideally, you should still be able to see the grass when you’re done mulching to ensure its ability to continue growing. The solution is to make another pass at the top layer of leaf mulch to collect some of the top layer.