Before the winter season sets in, your lawn needs to be prepared before it enters dormancy. One of the most important things you should do is to remove the leaves from your lawn. This is important for many reasons, including the fact that leaf piles invite insects and lawn diseases and they can also smother your grass and block access to water, sunlight, and essential nutrients. Keep reading to learn more about why you need to remove the leaves before winter sets in.

Leaf piles are known to attract a variety of pests.

A pile of leaves in need of raking in Arlington, TN.

 

While nature's confetti of yellow to orange leaves in the fall looks good in your yard, these leaf piles need to be removed. Every passing day those leaves sit on top of your lawn is another day it turns into a conducive breeding ground for pests. Pesky creepy crawlers are on the lookout for shelter and protection before the winter, and the piles of leaves in your yard are the perfect place for them. Some pests that love to take shelter in leaf piles include:

  • Snakes
  • Ants
  • Earwigs
  • Ticks
  • Termites
  • Rodents
  • And many more

By removing leaves from your lawn, not only will you protect your turf from these pests, but you will also make your property safer for you and your loved ones.

Prevent lawn diseases by removing leaves in your yard.

The leaves of the fall season are nice to look at, there's no doubt about it. However, a thick blanket of leaves can prevent water evaporation and limit the air circulation that your grass needs. When this happens, your yard will stay moist constantly. Lawn diseases are bound to occur if your grass is exposed to prolonged moisture because disease-causing fungi love these kinds of environments.

A common disease that affects lawns during the winter is pink snow mold. Despite having snow in its name, the fungus that causes snow mold can be activated even without snow as long as temperatures get below 60 Fahrenheit. Poor drainage and limited air circulation also boost snow mold, but you can prevent this disease and others by removing leaves on your lawn before the winter.

Other common lawn diseases found in Tennessee include brown patch, dollar spot, and fairy ring.

Leaves Block Access to Water, Sunlight, & Essential Nutrients

Lawns covered in leaves grow weaker and weaker every day. While the leaves are nice to look at and you might not think it's a big deal to leave them in your yard, these leaves can smother your grass and block access to water, sunlight, and essential nutrients. When this happens, your lawn will not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs to thrive and can grow weak or even die. If this happens, you'll need to invest in lawn care services to nurse your lawn back to health.

Schedule a professional leaf removal service multiple times during the fall to achieve the best results for your lawn.

Need help preparing your lawn before the winter? Call us today to schedule our leaf removal!

Bagged leaves beside a rake for fall cleanup service in Arlington, TN.

Leaf removal is a vital lawn maintenance task you should never overlook in the fall. You need to prepare your turf before the winter and removing leaves is an effective way to allow your grass to absorb nutrients and prevent diseases and pests from taking over. We offer a top-notch leaf removal service to homes and businesses in Memphis, Midtown Memphis, East Memphis, TN and nearby areas. Call our team today at (901) 246-7656 to schedule our leaf removal service! We look forward to working with you to help you get a leaf-free lawn so that your yard is ready for the winter season.