News Release
October 15, 2007

Landscaping Tips: Raking leaves and deep watering worthwhile fall tasks

By Scott Hininger, UW CES

Leaf raking may not be a favorite pastime each fall, but it can provide an important ingredient for compost, lessen the spread of diseases and help prevent grass and other plants from being smothered.

 

If composted, one year's litter from a full-grown tree can be worth up to $15 as organic fertilizer and humus. Pound for pound, the leaves from oaks, maples and elms contain twice the calcium, phosphorus and magnesium as manure.

 

Compost can be easily made by placing leaves in a large, dark-colored garbage bag. Start with a 4-inch layer on the bottom. Follow this with an inch-layer of soil, and then scatter a handful of complete garden fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) over the soil.

 

Sprinkle the mixture with water, and repeat the layering process until the bag is nearly full. Seal the bag and place in a protected area in the sun. By next spring, the compost should be ready.

 

Leaves can also be added to backyard compost piles. For tips on composting, see the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service bulletin B-974R, Backyard Composting: Simple, small-scale methods, at http://ces.uwyo.edu/PUBS/b974R.pdf.

 

There are approximately 20 community compost programs around Wyoming that accept lawn and garden debris. If not sure about your community, call the landfill, parks department or city hall.

 

Leaves can harbor diseases, which can spread to other plants if the leaves are not removed from the ground. Diseases are generally killed if the compost reaches temperatures of 120 to 140 degrees. Generally, the diseases are host specific, meaning diseased leaves from aspen, for example, will not affect evergreens or flowers.

 

There is another benefit to raking leaves. If they remain on the ground through winter, they could pack down and smother grass and other plants beneath. 

 

Collecting leaves can be made easier by using the proper tool. If purchasing a leaf rake, make sure the handle is long enough so you don’t have to stoop as you work. Using a mower equipped with a bag is a good way to collect leaves for composting. There are also electric- and gas-powered tools specifically designed for vacuuming and/or blowing leaves.

 

Dry leaves rake up easier than wet ones, which tend to stick to the ground, grass or plants.      

 

This fall, remember to deep water trees (especially evergreens), shrubs, grass and perennial flowers before the ground freezes. This will help the plants survive Wyoming’s long, generally dry winters.

 

An occasional watering on warm days during the winter is important, especially if the ground is dry and there is no snow cover. This is especially true for evergreens.

 

If the ground is frozen, do not water because it cannot penetrate the soil. Poking a screwdriver into the soil is a good test to determine if the ground is frozen or dry.

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor
Phone: (307) 766-3571
E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

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