4 Ways to Dispose of Leaves

When fall rolls around, sometimes it’s hard to decide the best way to dispose of the leaves scattered across your lawn. Is it better to bag or mulch? Leave leaf piles for curbside pickup or compost them? No one method is correct because every leaf removal situation is different. Our experts discuss the different ways to dispose of leaves to help you decide which method is best for you.

Method 1 – Bagging
For areas that do not offer open curbside pickup, bagging is a popular and eco-friendly alternative. Using a leaf blower or rake, gather leaves into piles and dispose into paper lawn and leaf compost.

Unlike plastic trash bags, compost bags will decompose over time. You can also maximize bag space by shredding leaves before disposing of them, compacting yard debris down to a fraction of its original size.

Method 2 – Curbside Pickup
Many cities offer curbside leaf pickup during fall months. Research your city’s guidelines to learn if seasonal leaf pickup is available in your area. If it is, use a powerful leaf blower to blow leaves onto a large tarp. Drag the tarp to the curb, and then wait for your local collection service to show up and take the leaves away.

Method 3 – Mulching
Mulching is another great way to rid your lawn of leaves. You can even use with your lawn mower to do so. Simply mow your lawn as you normally would, and chop leaves as you go. Along with grass clippings, finely-chopped leaves will naturally decompose, returning nutrients to your soil and improving the health of your lawn.

Keep up with leaves as they fall, or you may end up with leaf piles that contribute to thatch and do not break down as easily. If this happens, you should consider an alternative cleanup method mentioned here.

Method 4 – Compost
If you’re looking for a way to speed up leaf decomposition in your own yard, you may choose to add shredded leaves to your compost bin. Use leaves over time as needed to mulch your flower beds for the winter, or fertilize your gardens in the spring.