Several new research findings, as noted in the latest New Scientist. Most people think that thick wet…

“blankets of fallen leaves can choke plants beneath them, especially shorter species like lawn grass […]. The surprising thing is, this received wisdom has only recently been scientifically scrutinised, with a range of studies all pointing to the exact opposite conclusion.”

So long as the lawn isn’t heavily swamped, meaning less than 20 percent coverage, then…

“the fertility benefits of this light leaf coverage far outweigh the drawbacks – the leaves will quickly break down and help next year’s lawn grow far better than if you had raked them”.

If the grass has 50% leaf-wad coverage and it’s thick, it’s said it’s best wait for a dry spell (easier said than done, in the British Isles), then shred the dry leaves with a good lawnmower. Probably a lightweight hover-mower, I’d guess. Then just leave the shreds for the spring rains/winds and the worms to deal with.

All of which saves time, bin-bags, bin-men hassle (“we’re not taking that…”), smoky bonfires and roasted hedgehogs, the tiring use of hand-rakes or the hire of neighbour-annoyingly leaf-blower machines.

Of course, paths are different. I know from experience there that it’s best to let them get wet and wadded if you can. Then take them off via slicing and lifting with a shovel as if they were peat sods. Then brush and let the rain do the rest.