October 23, 2003

 

The Season for Final Lawn Care Has Arrived

Most leaves have fallen from deciduous trees by now, according to Ron Smith, North Dakota State University Extension Service horticulturist. He jokes that although some households are fortunate to have the leaves blown off to another landscape, the majority of people with lawns are faced with leaf litter removal.

Leaves must be removed promptly to prevent the following conditions:

• Slowed photosynthesis resulting from leaf cover, which robs the still-green lawn of several weeks of carbohydrate production and storage in the crown, roots and rhizomes because of light reduction.
• Increased disease susceptibility, particularly to snow molds.
• New hiding places for voles that are destructive to struggling woody plants.

Smith recommends two approaches to leaf litter removal for urban dwellers: hand raking or using a mulching mower. "Collecting leaves in a mower bag is another option, but because of the volume involved, it ends up being more work than it is worth," says Smith.

The time also is approaching or has arrived in some instances for the "final mow." Roughly the mid to last part of October is the right time, according to Smith. The significance of this mowing is related to the lowering of the blade. For example, most Kentucky bluegrass lawns are mowed at between 2 1/2 to 3 inches through most of the growing season. The final mow should be close to 2 inches or slightly less, depending on topography.

"The lowered height of cut removes excess material for destructive microorganisms to move into, and like the leaf litter removal, creates a less favorable environment for voles," says Smith. "The clippings should be collected after the final mow, again to remove potential material for disease development under snow cover."

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Source: Ron Smith, (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 231-8731, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu