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You can leave grass clippings on the lawn, depending on their length. You don’t want to completely cover new grass and block it from sunlight, or encourage moss crowd out the more delicate grass. However, short clippings are usually fine to leave on the lawn. In some cases, they can be beneficial: Clippings can be a source of fertilizer and help protect the ground as young grass blades develop.

Generally, it is not necessary to remove old mulch before applying a new layer. As organic mulch breaks down, it enriches the soil with nutrients. However, you should remove the old layer if it shows signs of fungus or disease, which can be common in moist areas, or if the total depth is already too thick. Avoid letting the total mulch depth exceed 3 inches, as this can harm plant roots. If you do remove old, disease-free mulch, it can be added to a compost pile.

We always recommend wearing a protective mask when blowing leaves (as well as goggles if possible). Blowing leaves creates a lot of dust, and in many cases that dust contains a bunch of allergens that can make those sensitive very miserable. Even worse, moldy leaves can contain fungi and bacteria that could make humans as animals very sick. Mask up before starting your leaf project, and if anyone is helping you collect the leaves it’s a good idea if they wear a mask, too.

If you are xeriscaping a lawn from scratch, your best bet for preparing the lawn is to work with a xeriscaping specialist in your area. The most common first step to making the transformation, however, will be to remove the turfgrass from your lawn. The subsequent steps will often include amending the soil to support new plants and installing low-drip or drip irrigation systems.