Solid Waste & Recycling

Leaf Management

Feed Your Landscape... Not the Landfill

Landfills in Texas are filling up fast, and residents throughout the state are grasscycling and composting items such as lawnclippings and leaves in an effort to prevent landfill problems.

Managing Leaf Drop

Tree leaves, like grass clippings, contain valuable nutrients, and provide a good source of organic matter which should be returned to the soil. A light covering of fallen leaves can be mowed, leaving the shredded leaves in place on the lawn. This technique is most effective if a mulching mower is used.

However, mowing the lawn is not an effective method of leaf management when heavy cover is present. In such an instance, removal of the leaves is required. These leaves and other yard trimmings, such as grass clippings, small twigs, pruning debris or dead plants, can be a valuable landscape resource when used as a mulch or when composted.

Using Leaves as Mulch

A mulch is any material applied to the surface of soil for protection or improvement of the area covered. A layer of leaves, decomposed or undercomposed, applied to the surface of soil as a mulch around trees, around shrubs, in flower beds and in vegetable gardens will:

• Conserve soil moisture
• Control weeds and grasses
• Protect against extreme heat and cold
• Reduce soil erosion
• Prevent soil crusting

By passing yard trimmings through a shredder, an even more uniform mulch material can be created.

Using Leaves as Compost

Compost is a dark, crumbly and earthy-smelling form of organic matter that has gone through a natural decomposition process. Decomposition and recycling of organic materials are an essential part of soil building and health plant growth in forests and pastures, as well as our lawns and gardens. The process of decomposition or "composting" can be carried out in simple compost piles or more elaborate homemade or purchased bins.

Composted leaves and other landscape trimmings can be used to:

• Enrich soil be adding natural nutrients and organic matter
• Loosen tight, heavy clay soils
• Help sandy soils retain moisture and nutrients
• Increase water and air holding capacity in soils

This information has been provided by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.