Before you rush out to buy big paper leaf bags, think about the free and easy mulch you have right in your yard.
Your leaves are a nutrient filled treasure that can be used as a mulch for your landscape beds. If you want to use them in your beds, rake leaves into a 2-3 inch 
pile around base of plants and shrubs. For trees, use a pile up to 4 inches. As leaves slowly decompose, they add nutrients to the soil, smother weeds, protect roots from extreme winter weather, and let mother nature recycle naturally!
For lawns, you need to do a little prep for getting the most out of your leaves. You should not leave a full cover of leaves on your lawn. Wet leaves can trap moisture and lead to fungal growth. You may wish to rake up much of the leaves for your beds, then use the rest for your lawn. You can safely use a mulching mower to chop leaves into a winter treat for the lawn, but be careful not to leave to many leaves! Use just a sprinkling, not a full cover. Mulch can return nitrogen back into the soil over the winter and spring, giving you a greener healthier landscape come spring.
