Rethink Lawns: Use fall leaves as mulch
- Oct 12
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 14
10/13/2025
In August 2025, the RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project released a guide describing climate responsiveness actions. Now, they’re sharing a series of newsletter articles to help volunteers explore some of the practical steps featured in the guide.
As autumn leaves turn brilliant shades of red and gold, they’ll soon be blanketing the ground. Encouraging gardeners to use climate-friendly ways to manage them is part of rethinking lawn practices.
Before getting out a gas-powered leaf blower, consider that small gas engines are inefficient and emit greenhouse gases and other pollutants. When possible, go for electirc lawn equipment. Also, transporting leaves to yard waste sites adds greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere.
Instead of sending away this valuable resource, climate-responsive gardeners can use their fall leaves as mulch. In addition to avoiding adding to greenhouse gasses, keeping leaves on site benefits the soil, insects, and other wildlife. Decomposing leaves return nutrients to the ground and improve soil structure. They also allow for better water infiltration, moisture retention, and root growth. Raking leaves directly over garden beds provides winter insulation for plants and habitat for animals. You can also just let some leaves stay on the lawn. As long as at least 50% of lawn grass is showing, turn dry fall leaves into mulch by chopping them finely with a lawn mower. If they are denser, bag them for use in the spring.
For more ways to rethink lawns, see How You Can Be a Climate Responsive Gardener by the RCMG Climate Responsiveness Project.
Further Reading
Fall leaf mulching is good for your lawn
