The leaves have fallen. Leaves are not bad, they are mother nature’s way to replenish the soil, adding nutrients and organisms to sustain plant life. When we pick the landscape clean of leaves, this stops the natural process. Fertilizers can be added to supplement, but that is like taking vitamins versus eating your fruits and vegetables. Chopping the leaves and leaving them in place is a happy medium. The leaves break down faster, while still providing beneficial nutrients to the soil.
Everything we collect (leaves, branches, pumpkins, etc.) we turn into compost. We collect about 1,000 cubic yards of organic material every year. We replace these materials in the landscape beds with the Custom Hardwood Mulch we apply. This mulch is shredded twigs and leaves, aged to look better. We apply an organic fertilizer (Epsoma’s Hollytone) which is primarily composed of composted chicken manure. These steps help replicate the natural process of nature, but in a way that is more attractive and beneficial for plants.
The only downside to leaves (besides the look you may or may not like) is it can smother grass. Lawns are meant to be in areas without trees. Thus they cannot adapt to layers of leaves. Leaves must be chopped, raked, and/or removed from lawn areas to maintain a consistent healthy turf. If leaves sit on a lawn for more than 3-4 weeks, you start to see discoloration of the grass blades. If leaves or piles are left in place for months, grass will die back.
If we missed a leaf call, please contact Molly. She was spending too much time with her favorite mums, cabbages, and holiday lights and may have missed a call or two.
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