Fall is just around the corner

Have you noticed that the days are getting shorter, the mornings are colder and dusk is coming earlier?

Seen a few leaves drift to the ground? Nothing symbolizes fall like a mound of leaves.

The yearly chore of raking them can terrify you, but why not have fun doing it? 

Make a pile, have kids jump in them, have a “fall leaf fight”…

… then when it comes time to clean up make sure you include the kids in that as well.

Removing leaves are not only important for the look, but leaving them can be harmful to you, your lawn and your plants.

•  Leaves can become slippery when wet and could be a danger on walkways.
•  A pile of leaves left on your lawn for more than a few days cam block the sunlight needed for the grass harming the lawn and reducing future growth.
•  Leaves can offer a hideout for insect and fungi, helping them survive winter and “flourish” next spring.
• ·Too many leaves covering perennials can cause crown rot as well.

Instead of raking the leaves you can always use a blower to remove them from hard to reach places then use a lawnmower to pick up and bag them. You can also collect them into a compost pile and use it to enrich the soil the following summer.
Many leaf blowers can also be converted into leaf vacuums that will suck up and mulch leaves, bagging them in the process.

…and of course you can always use the leaves to stuff a SCARECROW.

Here is a cool video to help you how  
                    …and when you are ready, post your picture of your new “creation” here.

Pictures attached : Autumn Leaves by Rosemary Ratcliff and Scarecrow by Arvind Balaraman