Raking: It's About More Than Just Curb Appeal

Sep 14th 2017

If you like in a neighborhood governed by a homeowners association, you might think the rules on raking leaves is just a way for someone else to dictate the look of your lawn. After all, the leaves will just decompose and become nature’s mulch, right?

Well, raking actually provides many benefits to your property’s landscape. Allowing leaves to build on top of your lawn could lead to serious problems and affect the aesthetic of your landscaping. At Evergreen Lawn Care, we want everyone to understand the importance of raking leaves from your lawn for residential and commercial landscaping Gainesville, FL, residents can count on.

Importance of Fall Raking

Prevent Suffocation of Grass

In order for grass to grow and be healthy, it needs to be allowed to breathe. Air, water and sunlight are imperative to a healthy lawn. However, when leaves and branches accumulate on top of your grass they can prevent airflow and suffocate the grass. A thick layer of leaves will also prevent the grass from receiving necessary sunlight and water, eventually killing it. Most grasses used for lawns are cool-season species. This means that they do most of their growing during the autumn months. In order to have a healthy landscape Gainesville, FL, residents can be proud of before winter arrives, it is important to remove all fallen leaves.

Maintain Healthy Thatch

Every type of grass has a layer of decaying stems and foliage between the blades and soil surface called thatch. Thatch can build up so much that it stresses the grass by creating a barrier that prevents necessary nutrients from reaching grass roots. Raking fallen leaves can ensure that only a thin, healthy layer of thatch is left to promote growth.

Prevent Fungi Growth

Sunlight plays many roles in the growth of grass, one of them being to remove excess moisture from the blades. When leaves and other debris sit atop the lawn, they prevent the sun from evaporating excess moisture, allowing it to remain in the soil and around the stems of the grass. When moisture is allowed to sit for long periods of time without drying, it can promote fungal growth. Fungi can spread rather quickly throughout your lawn and can be hard to identify. The more it spreads, the more it will affect the health of your lawn and it can be difficult to get rid of.

Avoid Pests

A multitude of decaying leaves and branches can become a breeding ground for insects. Too many insects can eat away at grass and surrounding plants. They can even make their way into your home or business. By ensuring that fallen leaves are raked on a regular basis, you can help keep your landscape and property pest-free.

Hire A Professional Lawn Care Company

Having a professional Gainesville landscaping company for all your lawn care needs can ensure that your landscape stays in top shape all year long. During the fall maintenance and cleanup services from Evergreen Lawn Care, we don’t just remove fallen leaves from your lawn, we also inspect your grass to ensure that it is healthy. If we find that your grass is experiencing a problem, we can take the necessary steps to save it from any further damage and get it back to growing the way it should.

Lawn Care In Gainesville, FL

At Evergreen Lawn Care, we believe in helping our customers maintain a beautiful landscape year round, and raking fallen leaves on their lawns during the fall is an important aspect. If you’re in need of residential or commercial Gainesville lawn care you can trust, contact us today.