Raking: Do U Do It?

[sexobon]

It's true that clumped and matted down leaves; or, grass cuttings can keep sunlight from reaching the lawn in spots so the grass underneath won't grow. Simply breaking up the clumps with a rake will enable the wind to move leaves and grass cuttings around to avoid dead spots without having to pick up the debris and dispose of it.

I use the lawn mower to mulch leaves while cutting the grass. I first mow the perimeter of the yard, with the cuttings being blown towards the middle, and work towards the center. All the previous cuttings get chopped up a little finer each time I pass over them again while making new cuttings. I then use the mower to scatter the debris pile accumulated in the center of the yard out towards the perimeter until the material blends in with the grass.

I only rake up the leaves and grass cuttings that drift into piles against the house and edges of the driveway. I don't want decomposition piles forming against the house; or, making a mess when I later use the snow blower on the driveway.