Autumn foliage is gorgeous on trees, but once leaves carpet your lawn, they become a major threat to turf health. Rain-soaked leaves form an airtight barrier over cool-season grasses.
The Danger of Matting Leaves
Matted leaf layers trap moisture and block sunlight, preventing grass from photosynthesizing during its critical fall energy-storage window. Over winter, this dark wet blanket invites grey snow mold (Typhula incarnata) and pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale).
Shredding vs Removal
Light scatterings of leaves can be shredded with a mulching mower to return nutrients. Heavy leaf fall must be thoroughly vacuumed or raked off the property before the first freeze.