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Always remove leaves from hardscapes and other lawn features. Leaves and other yard debris can become slippery and dangerous, and fallen leaves can discolor and stain materials like stone, brick, and concrete. Use a rake, brush, or leaf blower to remove leaves from hardscapes and prevent staining.

The most common alternative is burning the stump first, then dealing with the cinders and ashes. As you can imagine, this option creates fire hazards, especially since roots can burn underground, hidden, for long afterward. That’s why many states and cities have outlawed the use of stump burning entirely. We do not recommend this option as a viable alternative unless you get a permit from the local fire department and practice all safe burning procedures.

Others prefer a more long-term DIY approach of degrading the stump with home mixtures like Epsom salt and vinegar injected directly into it. This may help the stump decay faster, allowing homeowners to dig it out themselves, but it’s still a lengthy process. It usually takes months for a stump to start falling apart with such treatments, and in the meantime, it can be vulnerable to rot, insects, and other problems.

Don’t pick up dirt after aerating. Even though it's tempting because soil cores are incredibly unsightly, these cores and the dirt they leave behind are ecologically important. This is what keeps your grass looking beautiful and growing healthily. The soil cores need two to three weeks to decompose, but you can swat them with a rake if their natural shape bothers you.

Foxtail grass is not native to the United States, so it is considered an invasive plant. Giant foxtail originated in eastern Asia, Green foxtail is native to Europe, and Yellow foxtail is native to Eurasia. This grass variety is one of many common invasive plant species that you should keep out of your yard and garden beds as much as possible.