How Soon Do You Remove Leaves From Flower Beds?

In the Fall

• Remove leaves from flower beds in the fall as part of an overall cleanup of fallen foliage. For a simple mulch, process the leaves into smaller pieces by using a lawnmower to do the shredding. If your plants experienced any issues with fungal infection or other diseases that live in plant debris, do not reuse the leaves collected from the flower bed. Leaf mold, created from composted leaves, is a form of homemade organic mulch, offering benefits at a low cost -- just your labor, a container and an occasional sprinkling of water. Use leaves only, no other materials, and after six to 12 months, you should have an odor-free compost that will crumble when handled and within which you should not be able to discern individual leaves.

Not at All

• If you prefer to save labor, instead of collecting the leaves, till 6 to 8 inches of leaves directly into the soil in your flower bed. Leaves release their nutrients slowly as they decay and improve soil aeration and drainage.

As Soon as Possible

• Collect leaves a few days or weeks after they fall into your flower beds, if the those flower beds are adjacent to your home or other buildings. A layer of matted leaves can create attractive conditions for termites. The moisture in the leaves and the cover they provide can allow termites to tunnel close to structures, where they may gain entry. This layer may also prove difficult to penetrate for some sprouting seeds, so self-seeding plants may not reappear the following growing season, and seeds you plant on top of the leaves may not be able to penetrate the leaves to reach the soil beneath.

To Create Mulch

• Avoid simply leaving fallen leaves in place. Leaves that have been shredded stay in place better and break down faster. Apply 2 to 3 inches of shredded leaves as mulch in your flower bed. Using leaves as mulch has both benefits and downsides. While the mulch helps fight erosion, it can lead to soil crusting, which prevents moisture from reaching plants' roots. Leaf mulch does not require removal. If it becomes unattractive, you can till it into the soil.

In Spring

• Return leaves to your flower bed to protect vulnerable plants during winter. Remove the leaves before plants begin to sprout in the spring. Also wait until spring to remove a thick layer of leaves over your flower beds if winter weeds are a problem. Use a 2- to 3-inch-thick layer to block weeds from sprouting.