The Importance of Raking the Lawn: Why You Shouldn’t Skip This Fall Routine

The Importance of Raking the Lawn: Why You Shouldn’t Skip This Fall Routine

Whether you use your backyard in fall and winter or not, there is a strong reason to keep up with raking your lawn. Doing so can prevent issues with mold growth, lawn damage from leaf accumulation, and ensure your grass stays healthy—especially as it transitions from a dormant period in winter to beginning to grow again in spring. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of raking during the fall, how it can protect your lawn, and why it's a necessary part of your fall routine.

Preventing Mold Growth

Raking your lawn not only makes your backyard look aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps prevent mold from growing in the underparts of the layer of leaves. Mold can produce a musty odor, making your yard and home smell unpleasant. By removing excess leaves and other debris, you can help reduce the likelihood of mold formation.

Protecting Your Lawn from Damage

A large accumulation of leaves on top of your lawn can potentially begin the composting process, which can damage the grass. Some grass varieties do go into a state of dormancy in winter, but during the fall, grass is still actively growing and requires sunlight to remain healthy. Ensuring your grass receives sufficient light is crucial for its overall health.

The Role of the Crown

The crown, where the grass plant meets the soil line, is a crucial part of the plant's structure. It needs access to oxygen and light for proper growth. Leaf canopy and light leaf cover can also provide protection from wind desiccation, which can harm your grass. Depending on your location and the species of grass you have, you may need to raked more frequently to ensure the crown remains protected and healthy.

Composting and Aesthetic Benefits

Raking your lawn not only prevents mold and damage but also provides a double benefit: the material you remove can be composted, and the lawn will look much better. You can set your mower to mulch and shred the leaves, allowing them to stay on the lawn and improve soil quality. Alternatively, you could quickly blow the leaves into your planted beds and use them as mulch.
Additionally, raking your lawn can make it look better, which is something to consider when you’re looking out the window or showing off your home to potential buyers or neighbors. Proper maintenance also helps keep your neighbors from pestering you about your yard's appearance.

A Case Study: My Lazy Past

In the past, I was quite lazy about raking my backyard. Whenever I didn’t do it, come spring, I saw huge brown patches where the grass did not grow. The leaves were covering the grass, preventing it from getting the necessary space, air, and breathing room to grow.
Spending money and time on topsoil as well as grass seed is extra work, and waiting for the grass to grow can be frustrating. This experience taught me that raking is an essential part of my fall routine and should not be skipped.

Conclusion

For the best results, raking your lawn is a must. This simple task can protect your lawn from damage, prevent mold growth, and ensure your grass stays healthy. Whether you use your backyard in fall and winter or not, raking is a win-win situation that benefits both you and your lawn.