What Happens If You Leave the Leaves on Your Lawn All Winter

In this article:

• Do you really have to deal with fall leaves before winter?
• What happens when leaves mat down on your lawn?
• Can leaving leaves on your lawn lead to snow mold?
• How do leftover leaves affect your beds, drains, and gutters?
• Should you mulch the leaves or remove them?
• How can Fine Touch Services help with leaf cleanup before winter?
• What else should you know about leaving leaves on your lawn over winter?

Do you really have to deal with fall leaves before winter?

Here in Indianapolis, the leaves don't all come down at once. By mid-November, a lot of homeowners are asking the same question: do I really have to deal with these before winter?

In this video, Jake Morris, founder of Fine Touch Services, walks through three things that can happen if you leave a thick layer of leaves on your property all winter, and when it's okay to let a light layer stay.

Jake Morris:
"Do I really have to deal with these before the winter? And here's what can happen if you don't."

What happens when leaves mat down on your lawn?

Jake's first point is that the leaves mat down. A dry layer of leaves might not look like much, but central Indiana's cold fall rains change that quickly.

Jake Morris:
"After a few cold rains, a thick layer turns into a wet blanket sitting right on top of your grass, and your lawn can't get the light and air that it needs to survive properly."

Grass that sits under that wet blanket all winter goes into spring weaker than it should. Learn more about Fine Touch lawn care services and turf care that help your yard recover and stay healthy.

Can leaving leaves on your lawn lead to snow mold?

Number two is snow mold. A matted layer of leaves holds moisture against the grass, which creates the perfect spot for it to develop under the snow.

Jake Morris:
"When the snow melts in the spring, you can end up with a matted, discolored, patchy lawn that takes time to recover."

That means a slower spring green-up and more work to get your lawn back on track. For a month-by-month look at what your lawn needs, see the lawn care calendar for Indianapolis homeowners.

How do leftover leaves affect your beds, drains, and gutters?

Number three: it doesn't stop at the lawn. Leaves collect in the places you might not check until spring.

• Beds and shrubs: Leaves pile up in landscape beds and around shrubs.
• Drains: Leaves can block drains and lead to standing water.
• Gutters: Clogged gutters can add to drainage issues and water damage on your property.

The result is a much bigger cleanup in March, plus the risk of drainage problems and water damage along the way. If water already collects in parts of your yard, read about solving drainage problems common to Indiana properties.

Should you mulch the leaves or remove them?

Not every leaf has to go. Jake explains that it comes down to how thick the layer is.

If you're running the mower over a light layer of leaves, you're likely in good shape. If the leaves are deep, wet, and covering the grass, they need to be removed from the property before winter. Not sure how many visits your yard needs this season? Read how many fall cleanup visits your yard needs.

How can Fine Touch Services help with leaf cleanup before winter?

If you'd rather spend your weekends somewhere other than behind a rake, Fine Touch can take care of it. Our leaf removal and seasonal cleanup and maintenance services clear leaves from your lawn, beds, and around your property so your yard heads into winter ready. See what a fall cleanup includes and why it matters.

Fine Touch Services helps homeowners across Indianapolis and the northern suburbs, including Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville. See all of our service areas.

Ready to get the leaves off your lawn before winter? Call (317) 771-2332 or request a free estimate from Fine Touch Services today.