By Martha Kirk, Colorado Master Gardener

Mulching Leaves

Did you know leaves are a nutritional supplement for turf grass? They can help reduce the amount of fertilizer applied to the lawn. So, when leaves begin to fall, mulch them into the lawn with a lawnmower. How much is too much? If you still see green turf, it’s good. Too thick a cover can smother turf, possibly killing the turf or contributing to snow mold. Excess leaves that are mowed and bagged can be applied to garden beds as a mulch or composted. One year, I forgot leaves in a black plastic bag. The following spring, I found rich dark beautiful composted organic matter. Nature was hard at work while I wasn’t.