While we enjoy the beautiful colors associated with fall foliage, we also realize that most of those leaves will soon be on the ground. At this time of year, many turf manag- ers quit managing grass and shift their focus instead to managing leaves. In some situations, leaf removal by way of blowing, raking, or vacuuming is essential because ofturf use (e.g. golf course turf where either finding or play-ing a ball in leaves can be next to impossible). Another reason to mulch or remove leaves is to improve the turf-growing conditions. A thick layer of leaves blocks sun- light, reducing turf growth because of the shading effect.The leaves also trap and hold moisture in the turf canopy, increasing the potential for turf disease. However, treat-ment and/or disposal of leaves can be time consuming and costly. In some areas, it is actually illegal to place bagged leaves at curb-side for pickup due to restrictions on placing lawn waste in landfills.
Are there reasonable alternatives in leaf management? The answer is yes.
Source: http://pubs.ext.vt.edu