Leaves

What you can do.
  • Mulch Them In Place/Mow Them

    Leaves are rich in carbon, phosphorus, and potassium - all essential nutrients needed by plants including turf grasses (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources).  Simply mow your leaves along with the grass during fall, and let the small leaf pieces filter down among the grass blades.  Make sure grass is exposed to the sun after the tree leaves have been mulched.
  • Compost Them

    Composting is the natural recycling process that you can begin at home with leaves, grass clippings, and other lawn and garden waste.  Leaves are high in carbon and can be used as one of the brown yard wastes when making a compost pile.  
  • Use Them For Mulch

    Mulches offer your garden and landscapes many benefits from moisture retention to temperature moderation to erosion prevention.  Yard wastes such as grass clippings, leaves, and chipped or shredded brush and branches can be used as organic mulches.  Organic mulches are usually applied 3 inches deep over the soil and around plants to achieve the benefits of mulching.