Get matched with top brush chipping pros in Wheatland, MO

Always begin by removing large debris, leaves, and branches from your lawn to make room for the rest of your lawn maintenance checklist. Move on to mowing, weeding, and edging in the spaces between your lawn and garden. Lastly, clean off all hardscapes, porches, and patios for a fresh and tidy appearance.

Leaf removal isn’t always necessary, and what you should do with leaves in your yard depends on the number of trees you have. Leaving a small amount of leaves to decompose on your property can add nutrients to the soil and help grass, plants, and trees thrive. However, large accumulations of leaves can promote mold and fungal growth, so you should do at least two fall cleanups if you have many trees on your property.

Lazy composting involves putting leaves, grass clippings, and plant trimmings in a corner of your yard and letting nature take its course. There is no turning, watering, or balancing green and brown materials. It’s a low-effort, long-term approach that can take up to one or two years to create finished compost. It is perfect for gardeners who don’t mind waiting and want a no-fuss way to repurpose organic waste.

The legality of blowing leaves into the street depends on your city or county laws. Many cities have codes that restrict blowing leaves into the street because it can obstruct the view of nearby drivers and make cars dirty, not to mention angering neighbors. Violations can result in a fine or other problems. You can check the codes on your municipal government website to learn more local guidelines, but avoid spraying leaves into streets for now.