6 Healthy Ways to Handle Fallen Leaves in Your Landscape

Autumn's leaf pageant is glorious, but once the fall is nearly complete, a smart strategy keeps your landscape healthy. Here are six approaches.

1. Discard All Diseased Foliage

Powdery mildew on lilac leaves (shown) is a common fungal infection. Never add diseased leaves to compost or use as mulch—bag them for garbage to prevent disease spread.

2. Get Leaves Off the Lawn

Even a light layer compacts under snow, depriving grass of light and air, encouraging snow mold and turf diseases. Rake or blow leaves onto beds for mulch, add to compost, or stockpile for later.

3. Use Whole Leaves as Temporary Mulch

Apply 4–6 inches deep around new plants to maintain soil warmth and root growth. Spread on bare soil to prevent erosion, or apply to established gardens after ground freezes to prevent frost heave and premature spring warming. Note: Keep mulch 6 inches from tree/shrub bases to deter rodents.

Oak leaves are especially useful—their lignin content slows decomposition, though this also makes them harder to compost unless shredded.

4. Shred Leaves for Compost or Mulch

Run over leaves with a mower or use a chipper-shredder. Shredded leaves break down faster and incorporate better into compost. Studies show shredding + composting 4–6 weeks breaks down toxins in leaves from black walnut, oleander, eucalyptus, and poison sumac.

5. Participate in a Local "Leaf Drop"

Many municipalities offer free leaf collection for municipal composting. Ideal if your leaf volume overwhelms your ability to use them on-site.

6. Savor Leaves in the Home

Preserve autumn's beauty by incorporating long-lasting foliage into indoor decor—a final, joyful use for the season's bounty.