Tulsa World: Mulching leaves into grass helps build up soil

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Mulching leaves into grass helps build up soil

By BRIAN JERVIS Ask a Master Gardener
Published: 11/8/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/8/2009 6:29 AM

My husband says that mowing leaves into the lawn is harmful and will build up thatch. I read that this will not harm lawns, who is right? Brenda K. — Tulsa.

Mowing leaves into healthy Oklahoma lawns will not harm them. It adds beneficial nutrients and organic material to the soil. This is the official statement from Dennis Martin, turfgrass specialist at Oklahoma State University.

Studies at Purdue University have shown that mowing up to 6 inches of leaves into turfgrass had no undesirable effects on growth, appearance or general health of lawns. Mulched leaves had no effect on soil chemistry or thatch development.

This should be done by shredding leaves with a mower until none are left on top of the grass. It can only be done if you have healthy grass mowed at the recommended winter heights—generally 2.5 to 3 inches for both Bermuda and tall fescue. Properly done, the leaf particles will decompose by the following summer.

Please don't forget the other options for leaf usage. They may be used in the compost bin, used as mulch in any ornamental or vegetable garden or tilled into the soil now to prepare a garden bed for spring planting.

Some people are concerned that leaves, especially oak leaves, will add acid to the soil. Research-based studies have shown that this is not the case and leaves have no significant effect on soil acidity.

In every usage, the leaves should be shredded with a mower to reduce the volume and leaf particle size. Smaller particles decompose faster and make better mulch. Shredded leaves in garden beds will completely decompose by next fall, changing into healthy black humus.

It is clear that we should be taking advantage of fall leaves as a proven asset to the landscape. Leaves sent to the curb burdens waste disposal and in many states waste services will no longer collect and dispose of any yard waste.

For more information on leaf disposal, view OSU's brochure, tulsaworld.com/dealingwithleaves.

The Tulsa Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who help provide information and support to home gardeners and the community. For more, go to tulsaworld.com/mastergardener. If you have a question you would like the Master Gardeners to answer, call 746-3701 or e-mail Kim Brown at kim.brown@tulsaworld.com. By BRIAN JERVIS Ask a Master Gardener

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