Preparing Your Lawn for Leaves: How to Keep Autumn Debris from Killing Grass

As autumn arrives, UK lawns face a new challenge: falling leaves. While golden leaves look beautiful on the ground, they can quickly harm your lawn if left unchecked. Piles of leaves block light, trap moisture, and encourage moss, pests and disease.

The good news? With a few smart strategies, you can enjoy the season and keep your lawn green and healthy.

Why Fallen Leaves Are a Problem for Lawns

Leaving leaves to sit on your grass for too long causes:

• Blocked sunlight - grass struggles to photosynthesise

• Trapped moisture - ideal breeding ground for moss and fungi

• Pest habitat - worms, slugs and leatherjackets thrive under damp debris

• Weakened grass - bare patches appear by winter

In short: a thick carpet of leaves can kill grass within weeks if ignored.

5 Ways to Protect Your Lawn from Autumn Leaves

1. Rake Regularly (But Gently)

Use a spring tine rake to gather fallen leaves every few days. Don’t wait until they pile up; little and often is easier on your back and your lawn.

It's also important to be gentle. Aggressive raking can damage grass, especially after scarifying or overseeding.

2. Mulch Leaves with a Mower

Instead of raking, run your mower over light layers of leaves. The mower chops them into tiny pieces that break down naturally, returning nutrients to the soil.

This works best for small gardens or when leaf fall is steady, not overwhelming.

3. Use a Leaf Blower for Larger Gardens

For bigger spaces or heavy leaf fall, a leaf blower saves time. Blow leaves into piles, then bag them or compost. It’s quick, efficient, and less strain than raking daily.

4. Keep Renovated Lawns Clear

If you’ve recently scarified, overseeded, or fed your lawn, it’s vital to keep leaves off. Fresh grass seedlings need light and airflow to establish. Protect your new lawn by clearing leaves within 24 hours of falling.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving leaves until “the end of autumn” - the damage will be done by then

• Using a rake on wet lawns - there's a risk of tearing grass and compacting soil

• Ignoring shady corners - leaf build-up often hides here, encouraging moss

Late September Lawn Care Bonus Tip

Alongside leaf clearing, don’t forget to:

• Apply an Autumn Lawn Feed to strengthen roots

• Overseed thin areas with Premium Grass Seed

• Mow at the correct autumn lawn height (3–4cm)

These simple tasks prepare your lawn for the months ahead.

Final Thoughts

Autumn leaves might look pretty, but they can wreak havoc on your grass if left unmanaged. By raking, mulching, or composting regularly, you’ll protect your lawn and keep it thriving well into winter.

Remember: clear leaves mean greener, healthier grass.

Ready to Protect Your Lawn This Autumn?

The Lawn Pack Renovation Kit and Seasonal Pack Subscription make it easy to keep your lawn strong, even as the leaves fall.