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Yes, you can conduct your own leaf removal, but consider that keeping up with leaf removal is time-consuming and requires regular yard work throughout the fall. The process can take a few hours a week. Professionals have lawn equipment that can speed up the process and save you time. Additionally, consider how you’ll dispose of the leaves. If your sanitation company won’t pick them up—especially if you have many bags from a once-annual cleanup— you’ll have to drive the bags to the dump. It’s usually easier to leave the work and disposal to a professional leaf removal service.

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.

If composting feels too complicated, mulching is an effective alternative. While composting focuses on breaking down yard waste to feed the soil, mulching uses that same organic material as a protective top layer. It's a quick way to get value from leaves, grass clippings, and other yard debris without the time or effort composting requires.

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.