With the autumn weather now in full force, the trees have begun to shed their leaves in earnest. While the oranges and reds can be beautiful throughout your commercial or residential grounds, once they fall, these leaves can bring a number of problems and issues. So what is the importance of leaf maintenance for grounds in autumn? And why should you choose a professional team to take care of your grounds all year round?
What is the importance of leaf maintenance for grounds in autumn?
There are a number of reasons why leaf maintenance is essential in the autumn for gardens and grounds. These include:
- Safety and accessibility
- Lawn and plant health
- Improving soil quality
- Aesthetic appeal
Leaf maintenance is important for safety and accessibility
One of the main reasons why leaf maintenance is important is for safety. When leaves fall from the trees and gather on paths or lawns, they become very wet, and create a slippery surface that can increase the risk of slips, trips and falls. For commercial or residential properties with grounds, the fallen leaves can become a liability, risking your compliance to health and safety standards and regulations. As a result, regular removal of leaves, especially from paths and walkways, is essential for any business in the autumn months. A professional team like ours here at Green Scenery, will keep on top of your leaf maintenance to ensure that your property is safe for customers, clients and staff, all year round.
Leaf maintenance protects the lawn
Beyond keeping your grounds safe and accessible, leaf maintenance also helps to protect your lawn. Leaving fallen leaves to collect on the grass or turf can have a negative impact on the growth and health of the grass. This is because an accumulation of fallen leaves prevents sunlight, air, and water from reaching the grass, causing it to suffocate. Ultimately, this causes the grass to weaken and eventually die, leaving unsightly dead patches of grass in the spring.
In addition, fallen leaves also trap moisture, which can create the perfect environment for fungal diseases to spread. This will further damage the grass and can result in large dead zones.
Leaf maintenance improves the soil quality
In the autumn months, the falling of the leaves is perfect for nourishing the soil during the winter and into the spring, delivering important nutrients for the plants and trees. However, in grounds and gardens, this needs to be carefully managed, to prevent the damage to the grass outlined above. As a result, collecting the leaves to create a compost or leaf mould can be a great way to move fallen leaves from problem areas, and to use these for the health of your plants. This is particularly beneficial for flower beds, shrubs, and trees, as the leaf mould can improve soil water retention, helping plants during dry spells and boosting their growth.
Aesthetic appeal
For the grounds of your business, the aesthetic and visual appeal is crucial for setting a great first impression of your business overall. Leaf maintenance in the autumn can be essential for this, removing fallen leaves that have gathered on paths and on lawns. This makes your grounds appear tidier and more well organised, which reflects well on your company or business.
Here at Green Scenery we are Preston’s leading grounds and garden experts. From winter maintenance, to wildflower turf, we can offer a range of services to meet your requirements. For more information about leaf maintenance this autumn, get in touch with the team today!