Is Mulching Leaves with a Lawn Mower Better Than Raking?
May 2, 2025
Dealing with fallen autumn leaves is a yearly task for lawn owners. While raking is common, it’s a time-consuming and tiring task. What if there were an easier, even beneficial, way to deal with those fallen leaves?
Mulching leaves with a lawn mower simplifies your fall cleanup and gives your lawn a surprising boost. But is it better than raking? This blog explores the benefits of mulching and determines whether trading your rake for your mower is the smarter move.
What is Leaf Mulching?
Leaf mulching is a simple process of finely chopping fallen leaves directly on your lawn with a lawn mower. Instead of bagging and removing the leaves, you essentially shred them into small pieces that settle down into the grass.
Here’s how mulching leaves benefits your lawn and the environment:
Enriches the lawn: As the shredded leaves decompose, they release valuable nutrients back into the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer and improving soil structure.
Provides essential nitrogen: Tree leaves contain nitrogen, which slowly becomes available to the soil as the leaves decompose. This supports healthy grass growth and contributes to a greener and more resilient lawn.
Offers shelter for insects: The layer of leaf litter created by mulching is a habitat for various beneficial insects and small creatures. Many species of butterflies and moths, for instance, rely on this leaf layer for shelter as they go through their egg, pupal, or adult stages during the colder months.
Helps control weeds: A layer of mulched leaves can act as a natural barrier, suppressing the germination and growth of common weeds like dandelions and crabgrass.
Environmentally friendly: Mulching reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, contributing to a more sustainable approach to yard care.
Saves time and effort: Compared to the labor-intensive process of raking, bagging, and hauling leaves, mulching is a significantly faster and easier way to clean up in the fall.
Why is Mulching Better Than Raking?
While raking focuses on the complete removal of leaves, mulching embraces a more sustainable and beneficial approach by processing and recycling them directly on your lawn. Let’s see why mulching is a more advantageous approach:
Effort and Time Savings vs. Physical Exertion: Mulching is significantly less physically demanding and time-consuming compared to the repetitive bending, lifting, and hauling involved in raking and bagging. By simply making a few passes with your mower, you can efficiently manage leaf drop, freeing up your weekends for other activities.
Natural Lawn Enrichment vs. Nutrient Removal: Unlike raking, which removes nutrient-rich organic matter from your lawn, mulching returns these valuable resources directly to the soil. The finely shredded leaves decompose and act as a natural fertilizer, which improves soil health.
Promoting a Healthier Lawn Ecosystem vs. Potential Harm: While a thick layer of unraked leaves can block sunlight or trap excessive moisture, finely mulched leaves can contribute to a healthier lawn ecosystem. They break down the leaves, improve soil structure, and provide shelter for beneficial organisms, unlike the clean removal achieved by raking.
Eco-Friendly Recycling vs. Landfill Contribution: Mulching is an environmentally responsible way to handle leaf drop, effectively recycling organic matter back into your lawn. In contrast, bagging and disposing of leaves contribute to landfill waste, even with municipal composting programs, which still require energy for collection and transportation.
How to Mulch Leaves with a Lawn Mower?
The best way to mulch leaves is with a lawn mower. Whether you have a standard lawn mower or a dedicated mulching mower with specialised blades, the process is quite similar. Here are the detailed steps for mulching leaves with a lawn mower:
Step 1: Spread the Leaves Out Evenly
Before you start mowing, use your rake to spread out large piles of leaves across your lawn. Aim for a relatively even layer, no more than a few inches thick. This will allow your mower to process them more efficiently and prevent clumping.
Avoid trying to mulch very thick piles all at once, as this can strain your mower and result in uneven mowing.
Step 2: Remove the Grass Catcher from the Mower
This is a crucial step! You want the shredded leaves to fall back onto your lawn, not be collected in the bag. Detach and set aside your mower's grass catcher to let the mulched leaves stay on the turf.
Step 3: Adjust Your Mower's Height
Set your mower blade to a height of 3 inches, which is generally higher than your typical grass cutting height. This will help the mower pass over the leaves more easily and chop them more effectively. A higher setting allows the blades more room to work on the leaves without getting bogged down.
You may need to experiment with the height to find what works best for the type and thickness of your leaves.
Step 4: Start with a Thin Layer and Mow Slowly
Begin mowing over the leaves at a slow, steady pace. Don't try to cover too much ground too quickly. This gives your mower blades enough time to shred the leaves finely.
If your mower starts to bog down or you see clumps of leaves being left behind, slow down even more or make a second pass over those areas.
Step 5: Aim for Dime-Sized Pieces
The goal is to shred the leaves into small, dime-sized pieces or smaller. These fine particles will decompose quickly and easily filter down into the soil, providing the maximum benefit.
You may need to make multiple passes over the lawn, especially if you have a thick layer of leaves or if your mower isn't a dedicated mulching model. Varying your mowing pattern can also help ensure all leaves are thoroughly processed.
Step 6: Bag the Excess Leaf Mulch (Optional)
Depending on the volume of leaves and how thick the layer of mulch becomes, you may have more shredded leaves than your lawn can readily absorb. If you notice a thick layer of leaf mulch remaining on the surface, typically more than 1 to 2 inches, you can attach your grass catcher for a final pass to collect any excess.
This nutrient-rich leaf mulch can then be used in your garden beds as a natural soil amendment.
Step 7: Let the Mulched Leaves Fertilize Your Lawn
The finely shredded leaves left on your lawn will break down naturally over time, releasing valuable nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil. This acts as a natural, slow-release fertilizer, promoting a healthier and greener lawn in the long run.
You can continue to mow over any remaining leaf particles in subsequent mowings to further break them down and incorporate them into the soil.
Essential Tips for Successful Leaf Mulching with a Mower
To get the best results when using your mower to mulch leaves, keep these helpful tips in mind:
Maintain the Right Mower Height: Aim for a mower blade height of around 2.5 to 3 inches. This height allows the mower to effectively lift and chop the leaves without scalping your grass or getting bogged down by too much leaf volume.
Ensure Mower Blades are Sharp: Sharp, well-maintained mower blades are crucial for efficient mulching. Dull blades will tear and shred the leaves unevenly, leading to larger pieces that decompose more slowly. Blades angled correctly towards the direction of mowing will also enhance the mulching action.
Sharpen or Replace Blades Regularly: Make it a point to sharpen your mower blades at the beginning of the fall season. Consider sharpening them again or replacing them entirely during or after the peak leaf-shedding period.
Let Wet Leaves Dry First: Avoid trying to mulch leaves when they are soaking wet and matted down. Wet leaves tend to clump together and can clog your mower. Wait for a dry day or until the leaves have dried out and become crisp.
Most Leaves are Mulchable (Except Pine Needles): The vast majority of deciduous tree leaves (like maple, oak, and birch) can be mulched easily. However, pine needles are more fibrous and don't break down as easily into beneficial mulch. It's generally best to rake and remove pine needles.
Consider Other Mulching Tools: While your lawn mower is a great option, explore other tools for leaf mulching, especially for smaller areas or thicker leaf accumulations. String trimmers fitted with a mulching attachment or dedicated leaf shredders can also be effective for breaking down leaves into finer particles.
When to Mulch Leaves with a Mower?
Knowing when to switch from raking to mulching with your mower can make your fall cleanup more efficient and beneficial. Here's a general guideline on the timing:
Start Early with the First Fallen Leaves: Include mulching in your regular fall lawn care routine. Don't wait until your lawn is completely covered in leaves. Begin mulching as soon as you notice a significant number of leaves starting to fall. This prevents a thick mat from forming, which is harder for your mower to process effectively.
Increase Frequency as Leaf Fall Peaks: As the leaf drop intensifies, you'll need to increase the frequency of your mulching passes. Aim for once or twice per week during the peak of leaf fall to keep the layer of leaves manageable and ensure they are finely shredded.
Coordinate with Other Fall Lawn Care: Mulching leaves can complement other important fall lawn care tasks. If you're planning to overseed or apply a fall fertilizer, mulching leaves beforehand can help prepare the soil and allow these treatments to work more effectively.
DIY Mulching or Hiring a Pro?
While using your lawn mower to mulch leaves offers a faster alternative to raking, the scale of your property and the number of trees you have can significantly influence whether the DIY approach is the most practical. Let's break down the options to help you decide.
DIY Leaf Mulching with Your Lawn Mower:
Equipment Cost:
Basic lawn mower: $100 - $250
Ride-on or tractor mower: $1,000 - $4,000
Gator blades (for enhanced mulching): $20
Effort & Time: Requires your personal time and physical effort to mulch the leaves. Suitable for smaller to medium-sized yards.
Benefits: Cost-effective in the long run for regular maintenance, provides natural fertilizer for your lawn.
Hiring Professional Landscaping Services:
Service Cost: $50 - $250 per service for basic lawn maintenance, leaf disposal, and leaf mulching. Larger properties or more intensive projects may incur hourly rates of $50 - $150.
Effort & Time: Saves you significant time and physical labor.
Benefits: Convenient, especially for large or heavily wooded properties, professionals have the equipment and expertise for efficient leaf management.
Consider the size of your yard, your physical capabilities, and your budget to determine the best approach for your needs.
Conclusion
Mulching leaves with your lawn mower emerges as the best method for cleaning fallen leaves. It transforms a tedious chore into a beneficial act, feeding your lawn while saving you time and effort. By embracing this simple technique, you contribute to a healthier lawn and a greener environment.
If the thought of fall cleanup feels overwhelming, Percy's Lawn Care & Son is here to assist. Our experienced team will handle your leaf mulching and other fall lawn maintenance needs, ensuring your yard remains in top shape with minimal hassle for you. Contact us today for a quote and let us take care of your lawn, season after season!
