To Rake Or Not To Rake? That Is The Question

Days are shorter, leaves are falling and raking still needs to be done. Or does it?

Raking leaves provides many benefits to both you and your property:

• Removing leaves allows sunlight to shine directly on your grass to strengthen its root system.
• Raking is a good source of outdoor exercise and reaping the advantages of fresh air.
• Raking makes your property look neat and cared for.

In addition to the strain it puts on your back, raking leaves can be a bad idea. Not the actual raking itself, but what you do to dispose of the raked leaves. Putting raked leaves in bags and sending them to landfills is the worst thing you can do. Leaves in landfills combine with other organic materials as they break down to create methane, which is harmful to the environment.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more than 10 percent of the trash thrown away in 2018 was yard trimmings.

Instead of treating leaves as trash, work with nature.

If you have a thin layer covering your lawn, no need to rake. Many people fear that if leaves sit on your grass the entire winter, they will turn into a mildewy blend that will suffocate your lawn and keep it from growing back strong in the Spring. Leaving a thick blanket of leaves is harmful to your grass, but a thin layer is safe and helpful.

To rake or not is your choice, but your methods can help the environment and wildlife.

Now that your trees are void of leaves, it is much easier to detect their health. This is the perfect time for Artistic to inspect your trees and prepare them for winter.  We will be able to detect issues of safety and health of your trees and treat them before the snow, frost, ice, and cold invade Pennsylvania.