Collecting fall leaves can feel like a never ending yard work challenge. Left alone, piles of leaves can suffocate your grass, resulting in bare patches by spring.

Gathering leaves isn't just aesthetic either. As the winter months drag on, any matted leaf debris promotes a host of problems for your grass.

While a few scattered dry leaves won’t harm your grass, the decomposition process of a thick blanket of them can cause a real decline in grass health. 

Thick Leaves Lead to Trouble

• Blocks sunlight from reaching the grass. In the spring, this can stunt growth.
• Traps moisture. Leads to leaf mold, fungus, and pest infestations.
• Suffocates grass. It'll weaken or die over time.
• Reduces air circulation. This can damage root systems.
• Can invite critters looking for shelter. We're all for helping pollinators, but thick leaves can also invite unwanted wildlife.

The Best Ways to Gather Leaves

1. Classic Raking and Tarp Method

Old-fashioned outdoor work. Rake the leaves into piles and then transfer them onto a large tarp. Our preference is to relocate them to a compost pile, but you can also scoop them into paper leaf bags for biodegradable disposal.

• Best for: Homeowners with smaller yards. Or those who enjoy a little exercise.
• Benefits: Low-cost, eco-friendly, and a decent cardio workout.
• Tip: Use a wide leaf rake with flexible tines for efficiency, and make sure to rake in dry conditions to avoid a soggy mess.

2. Leaf Blower

If time is of the essence, or you’re not one for manual labor, a leaf blower can quickly clear large areas. This shortcut helps you corral leaves into piles for easier collection.

• Best for: Mid-sized and larger yards and/or anyone looking to save time.
• Benefits: Reduces physical strain, makes quick work of leaves on uneven or hilly terrain.
• Tip: Many areas prohibit gas leaf blowers, and that's OKAY. Battery-operated models have been our preferred tools for years.

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3. Mowing and Mulching Method

Rather than raking leaves, some homeowners prefer to mow over them. Go over them several times with the lawn mower to shred the leaves. The smaller the bits, the faster this leaf mulch can decompose and add nutrients back into the soil.

• Best for: Homeowners looking to reduce lawn waste and feed their lawn naturally.
• Benefits: Saves time, eliminates the need for bagging, enriches soil. Bagged mulched leaves can be added to garden soil to benefit the soil quality.
• Tip: Use a mulching mower or a mower with a mulching blade.

4. Leaf Vacuum/Leaf Collection Tool

If you have a large yard or tons of trees, a leaf vacuum is worth the investment. We've used a Cyclone Rake for a decade. It attaches to our riding mower, and mulches and deposits leaves into a container.

• Best for: Those with large properties, significant leaf accumulation, or who prefer to work smarter, not harder.
• Benefits: Massive capacity, reduces manual labor, and saves time. It can handle wet autumn leaves and tough terrain without slowing down.
• Tip: Make sure to empty the collector before it’s completely full. Any heavy riding mower attachments can begin to lift the front of the mower off the ground and make it hard to steer and control and can also create unnecessary strain.

FAQ

What can I do with all the collected leaves besides bagging them?

• Compost them with grass clippings and food scraps. It makes really rich garden soil... I do it every year!
• Use them as mulch around trees or garden beds to keep roots warm through winter. This is a great alternative to store-bought mulch (and it really keeps weeds at bay).

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Should I remove leaves from flower beds or garden areas too?

I don't. A light layer of dry leaves in garden beds can act as insulation for plants through the winter; however, thick, wet piles can lead to rot or mold.

• If it's more than 1–2 inches, remove some of it.
• You can shred large leaves first so they don’t mat together.
• In spring, pull back any remaining leaf cover to allow sunlight and air to reach the soil.

How can I make fall leaf gathering easier next year?

• Prune high-shedding trees near open lawn areas. You don't need to remove the trees, but trimming unnecessary branches and overgrowth helps to control the leaf haul.
• Mow regularly. Break down small drops before they pile up.
• Start early. Don't wait until they’re knee-deep.

Designate a compost zone so leaf storage and breakdown happen in one spot.