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Where you live and how many trees you have are the two things that will ultimately impact what you should do with your leaves. When considering leaf disposal methods, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and homeowners should feel empowered to use more than one disposal method in order to reap maximum benefits from the leaves.
Before you begin raking, it’s imperative to check to see if your town offers some sort of leaf pick-up program. Nowadays, many towns have trucks equipped with vacuum rigs that can suck up leaf piles left on the street and take them to a compost facility. This can be an incredibly convenient option—but one that’s likely only available in places that aren’t either highly urban or rural. Similarly, many towns will haul your leaves away so long as they are bagged up. While this may be a decent option for folks with small yards, bagging leaves can be a time-consuming process—and one that may not be the most efficient option if you have a large yard. Let’s take a look at six of the best ways to dispose of your leaves:
1. Compost them
If you already have a compost pile on deck, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t put at least a portion of your leaves in there. Leaves provide compost with that beneficial “brown material” it needs to thrive. For quicker decomposition results, try shredding your leaves (either with a lawn mower or by placing leaves in a garbage can and shredding them with a weed wacker). Keep in mind, however, that some leaves—like beech, sweet chestnut, and holly—aren’t suitable for compost because of their painfully slow decomposition times.
By far the easiest way to compost leaves is through collection with a leaf vacuum, which will save you the hassle of having to blow or rake leaves and haul them away on tarps. Companies like Cyclone Rake provide numerous solutions for this, from small yards to big ones.
2. Mulch into your grass
If you have a minimal amount of leaf coverage on your lawn, one option is to use a mulching lawn mower to shred them very finely, letting them decompose directly on your grass. Doing so will provide your grass with beneficial nutrients, but keep in mind: if the leaf coverage is too thick, it can prove detrimental to your grass.
3. Use them as mulch
Shredded leaves work great as a (free) mulching solution for your garden. A thin, even layer (about an inch thick should do) will both prevent weeds from sprouting up, and also help regulate soil temperature—which is especially important when temperatures start to drop.
4. Leaf Mold
Leaf molds—especially for folks with big backyards—is perhaps the most underrated way of disposing your leaves. Essentially, leaf molds act a bit like a compost pile, except they rely only on two ingredients: leaves and water. While it can take a good amount of time for leaves to break down (anywhere from one to three years or so), the result is a compost-like product that can immensely benefit your plants by preventing runoff, improving water retention, and providing beneficial nutrients for your plants.
5. Burn them
While this is by far the most exciting option (unless you’re oddly aroused by the aerobic reaction of compost), burning your leaves can be dicey territory. For starters, many towns prohibit it, or, at the very least, require a license to do so. So, if you get a hankering to set your leaves aflame, be sure to check with local ordinances. Similarly—and this perhaps goes without saying—but burning leaves can be pretty dangerous. If you’re dead set on doing this, be sure to have a safe and proper pit to contain the fire, and always have a fire extinguisher on deck.
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6. Use the woods
If you happen to own a property with woods abutting your yard, another option is to simply blow your leaves into the forest. While the leaves will take roughly a couple years to decompose, this represents a good option for those who have the right set up. With just a little extra effort, the woods can be an excellent place to set up a few leaf molding stations.
In conclusion, the way you manage your leaves depends on your personal situation—yard size, the resources available in your community, or simply your preference. From mulching and composting to burning or simply using the woods, there’s a solution for every homeowner that allows for easy leaf management.
July is a crucial month for gardeners, marked by intense summer heat and the need for extra care to keep plants healthy and productive. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, this guide will provide you with essential tips to ensure your garden thrives. We'll cover the most important considerations for your garden in July, the best plants to grow, and additional tips to help you overcome the challenges of summer gardening.
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These tips are meant to ensure your garden remains vibrant and productive throughout July. Adapting your gardening practices to the summer climate and paying close attention to your plants' needs will help you achieve a bountiful and beautiful garden.
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If you spend any time outside chances are you’ve had the unpleasant experience of running into a tick. Whether they’ve found their way onto you, your kids, or your pets, they’re never fun to deal with. They can even be carriers of very serious diseases. Rather than trying to fight them when you find them, let’s beat them at the source. Here are 5 tips to keep your property tick free.
1) Keep your property clean.
Taking away there hiding spots is one of the best things you can do to keep your property tick free. Just like us they like cozy warm spots to curl up in. Keeping piles of leaves, sticks, and other brush on your property will encourage the ticks to make a home there. By clearing them out with, say the Cyclone Rake, you’re leaving them with less places to hide. The same also applies to tall grass, keeping the grass short will limit hiding places for ticks.
2) Create physical barriers.
Just like back in the day with a moat around a castle, creating a barrier around your property can keep ticks out. Ticks will be less likely to migrate into your territory if you put down a strip of gravel or wood chips between your lawn and any wooded areas. Ticks have a hard time traveling over gravel and wood chips and can’t survive in it for long. Your “moat” should be at least three feet wide to be the most effective.
3) Sun is your friend!
Ticks are not fans of the sun, which means it’s a great natural tool for you to use to your advantage. Keeping things like play equipment, patio tables, and fire pits in the sun will reduce the possibility of you running into a tick. Just be sure to protect yourself from the sun as well while you’re out there.
4) Keep deer off your property.
Keeping deer off your property is a great step towards keeping your property tick free. Ticks like to hitch a ride on deer. The simplest way to keep deer off your property is to build a fence. Just like with ticks creating a physical barrier between your property and the deer will keep them at bay. There are also various deer repellent sprays on the market that can help keep the deer, and subsequently the ticks, away.
5) Try a different tactic.
You may find it’s time to spray your yard if other tactics aren’t ridding your property of ticks. The use of pesticides works similarly to the physical barriers we mentioned before. Spraying the perimeter of your property will make it harder to the ticks to cross over. Keep in mind that these are chemicals, so be sure to read any and all labels before use to make sure it’s right for your needs. You can also check in with your local health or agricultural officials to see what the best product and time to spray for your area is.
Now that we've covered how to prepare your yard, let's take a look at 4 quick tips to ensure you're protecting yourself when you go outdoors:
Check out the CDC’s page on Ticks for more information on the types of ticks, how to treat them, as well as a a ton of other helpful information.
The snow is falling. The sky is grey. And even though Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow this year, spring feels like it’s a million miles away. A great way to feel like we’re getting closer to warm weather is to think about gardening. Your hands in the warm soil, fresh veggies and herbs, and the sun shining overhead…sounds lovely, right? We’re almost there. In the meantime, feel closer to spring by getting a head start on your herb garden. Starting an indoor herb garden in winter is easy and brings a little spice back to your life (pun intended).
Mint:
If you’re just getting into the herb growing business, mint is a great place to start. It’s resilient, likes a comfortable temperature range, and will make your house smell great. The easiest way to start growing mint is to get what’s called a cutting from an existing plant. This is where you take a section of stem from an existing plant and replant it. Mint is aggressive. If you plant it outside and leave it untended, it has the tendency to spread, taking over large areas. Once you have your cutting, place it in a glass of water for around 7-10 days, or until you see roots start to grow. Once you have roots you know it’s time to move it to some soil. Mint likes a wide mouth container, rather than a deep one, so it has room to breathe. Once your mint is thriving be sure to keep the soil moist. Planting your mint in a plastic container, rather than a porous clay, will help with this. Before you know it, you’ll have more mint than you know what to do with.
Basil:
Basil is great in pasta dishes, pizza, caprese salad, pesto, honestly this list can go on and on. With everything you’re able to add basil to, it’s a great addition to your indoor herb garden. To plant your Basil place moist potting mix in your pots, sprinkle a few basil seeds onto the surface, and cover with a thin layer of soil. Water, or use a spray bottle to keep the soil moist, but not saturated. Just like the rest of us, basil likes a warmer climate. During these winter months placing the basil in a window that sees lots of sun does the trick. Make sure there’s a good distance between the plant and the window if it’s leaky, or drafty. Cold temperatures, like a leaky window or a leaf touching a cold pane of glass, is a sure-fire way to kill a basil plant.
Chives:
Chives are the perfect way to add a bit of color and boost of flavor to almost any dish. Garlic and chive mashed potatoes, cheddar and chive scones, thrown in soup, salads, pasta and potato dishes…is anyone else getting hungry? No matter how you use your chives, they’re a great addition to your indoor herb garden. The fastest way to grow chives is if you can get your hands on some already grown bulbs. Simply transfer the bulbs to a pot with some moist soil, keeping the soil moist and the plant in the window, and wait a few weeks. Once the plant is accustomed to its new home, you can start snipping for your snacks. If you’re starting your chives from seeds, you’ll need to plant them about 1/4” deep, in well-draining soil. It will take about 2 weeks for the seeds to germinate (aka: grow so you actually see some chives).
Growing an indoor herb garden won’t make warm weather get here faster. But it will make you feel better along the way!