How to Mow Leaves Into the Grass

Fall is the time when homeowners are faced with what to do about all the leaves that blanket lawns, as their long-term presence can damage grass by suffocating and killing it. Mowing leaves into the lawn not only nourishes the grass but also relieves you of having to dispose of them once you're done raking and bagging them. While mulching mowers are available specifically for this job, a standard rotary lawnmower works just as well.

Lawnmower
Rake

Instructions

- 1
  Rake any leaves that have gathered in dense piles, spreading them out as much as possible into a single thin layer.
- 2
  Mow from the edges of the lawn where leaves have accumulated and work your way in, positioning your mower so that it blows the materials away from the area still covered by leaves.
- 3
  Run the mower across a section of leaves that is about half the width of the mower, as more may cause clogging, especially if the leaves are damp.
- 4
  Reduce this distance to one quarter of the width of the mower if clogging becomes a problem. Re-rake the leaves if necessary.
- 5
  Spread any dense piles of accumulated mowed leaves apart into shallower layers, and check the size of the individual leaf bits.
- 6
  Repeat the process from Step 2 until the mulched bits of leaves are roughly the size of a dime or smaller, as the bits drop down between the blades of grass and decompose more rapidly.
- 7
  Run the mower in a different direction during subsequent passes, again aiming the exit chute away from the unmowed leaves.

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