If I don't rake up my leaves, will they kill my grass?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
November 25, 2009 9:36am CST
I usually run the lawnmower over them but I've been having so much trouble with my back that I don't think I can do it this year. I've heard that if you leave the leaves where they lay that the grass will die. Do I need to do anything with them? My dogs really enjoy the grass and I'd hate to ruin that area under the tree if the leaves will kill it.
3 people like this
7 responses
@sherrypeck19822001 (228)
• United States
26 Nov 09
Grass needs sunlight for photosynthesis.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
27 Nov 09
Yep, that's why I was worried. I haven't gotten any better so I might have to use some grass seed next year. Thanks for your input!
@shibham (16977)
• India
26 Nov 09
hi there,
i think the ;leaves may damage your garden. the grass under a leaf will be pale and it will lose his natural color. but this a season of leaf falls, in spring u will be free from cleaning the leaves. yaah..... u can use a labour to clean your garden. here in my locality i use a labour to clean my garden once in a week. thanks.
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
25 Nov 09
if the leaves are in a pile yes, but if strew all over the lawn no. the following spring season the grass will come back but not as " dark " green, more of a lime color. also it;s all according how close yur neighbors home is to your's when the winter wind whips up it will most likely blow them off your lawn. when spring time comes just use a good fertilizer on it and all will be fine, also when they rot it will compost your lawn.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
25 Nov 09
Thanks! The wind is really whipping around today and our houses aren't real close, there's plenty of space for the wind to blow things around. I'm sure I'll feel better by spring, at least I hope so! The new diet is working well so that will make my back feel better, too. Thank you for your help! 
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Nov 09
hi dragon54u Probably if the leaves are all matted and left for a long while I suppose the grass might smother but why not get a friend or neighbor to do the neighborly thing and run the mower over them and sort of rake up for you. No taking a risk with your back.I know what back pain is like now. I pulled a muscle awhile back and literally could not walk to the ba throom with pain like I had never experienced before. took three days of a lot of Ibuprofin before I could walk in comfort again. Now I know what people mean when they talk about back pain. wow. I would get the person who mows to pick up the leavings and make a compost pile out of them.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
25 Nov 09
The man who mows my yard just lost his father in law yesterday and I don't want to bother him right now, although I do have to call him next week to replace my drainpipe from the gutter on my garage that someone stole. Imagine that, stealing a drainpipe! 
I guess, from what others have said, that as long as I mow them in the spring the grass will be alright.
I'm glad your back feels better! I have scoliosis, which is a congenital spinal curvature and it it sometimes makes it very difficult to move around without pain. Most days I'm okay but I think the sudden cold weather has something to do with it, as I also have arthritis in my back. The good thing is that it'll get better in a few days!
I guess, from what others have said, that as long as I mow them in the spring the grass will be alright.
I'm glad your back feels better! I have scoliosis, which is a congenital spinal curvature and it it sometimes makes it very difficult to move around without pain. Most days I'm okay but I think the sudden cold weather has something to do with it, as I also have arthritis in my back. The good thing is that it'll get better in a few days!
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
26 Nov 09
Hi Dragon, I just read a news article in Reuters about a man using leaves to make plates and whatever.
It's very interesting. I dont know how he manages to overcome the technolgy barrier. The production is in India, and his plates are selling in US. If you do something similar, that will be great!
I guess you can just throw the used plates into the compost and let them rot.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
26 Nov 09
Ha! That would be a great idea, what a resourceful man. Most people here just rake them up and then burn them and they smell wonderful! But there are too many fire hazards and I don't want to set my neighbors' houses on fire!
@maria120883 (392)
• United States
25 Nov 09
Well I think it will be ok for now because of the cold weather that there is now. But later when the sun starts to warm things up it wil not be good.
The thing is that is will kill the grass but you shouldn't worry too much about it becuase grass grows very quickly. And plus it will only die where there are piles or leaves. But the grass won't die if it just has some gras on top of it scattered around.
Happy mylotting
Maria s.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
25 Nov 09
Thanks, Maria! I guess I'll deal with it in the Spring and I know I'll feel better by then. If things go well, I may even get them rolled up into a snowman. 
At 55, I still love playing in the snow.
At 55, I still love playing in the snow.
@Sissygrl (10912)
• Canada
25 Nov 09
I think the leaves will be fine all winter.. but the problem comes (i think) when spring arrives and the sun cannot get at the grass though the leaves... logically speaking.. So if you think you'd be able to rake/mow them after the winter is over, then just wait! if not.. maybe you could call soemone else to do it for you..
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