Menomonee Falls Leaf Management Study

 
 

Join us! Try out new leaf management methods this fall, save time, improve water quality, and receive a $100 gift card!*

  1. Fill out the participation pledge to sign up.

  2. Compost and/or mulch your leaves this fall.

  3. Track your experience.

*No purchase necessary. One gift card per household. Must submit pledge to participate. While supplies last. Gift cards will be distributed before October 1. See participation pledge for more details.

Common Leaf Management Misconceptions

  • I have too many leaves!

    • When you mulch-in-place, what may look like a lot of leaves will shred into small pieces that settle between blades of grass and will decompose, acting as a natural spring fertilizer for your lawn.

    • Combining practices is an effective way to manage an overwhelming amount of leaves. A combination of composting, mulching-in-place, and raking to the street may be the best option for you.

  • If I leave the leaves, my grass will die.

    • If leaves cover your lawn completely and sunlight cannot permeate to the grass, your lawn will suffer. However, simply by spreading the leaves out and a quick pass of the mower, and your lawn will be healthier as the leaves decompose and release natural fertilizer for a healthy lawn.

  • I don’t want to purchase specialty equipment.

    • No special equipment is necessary to mulch-in-place or compost! Use your lawnmower as you would mow the grass, with the highest height setting to begin.

    • Simple to install mulch plug and/or mulch blades, click here for video instructions.

Stormwater pollution is one of the leading contributors to the degradation of our local waterways. Excessive amounts of phosphorus deposited into stormwater runoff can result in algal blooms, excessive macrophyte growth, and reduced dissolved oxygen levels. While the sources of phosphorus to stormwater are many, one primary contributor is decaying leaves that have been left on the street for collection. Rain percolating through these leaves washes into storm drains (“leaf tea”) and can contribute as much as 50% of the annual phosphorus load from residential areas with high tree canopy [1]. The Wisconsin DNR has acknowledged the significance of this source… “the leaves in the curb line are a significant source of phosphorus in urban stormwater discharges during the fall season. Residents that rake leaves from their yards into the curb line increase the amount of phosphorus available to leach into stormwater” [2].

Mulching 101

  • Mulching leaves in place is the process of mowing the leaves in your yard into dime-sized pieces. You may need to make multiple passes with your mower so that the leaves are small enough to settle between the blades of grass.

  • Leaves are easily shredded with your average lawn mower, however you can purchase and attach mulching blades and/or plugs which are specific for the task. Be sure to raise your mower height as you begin mulching-in-place.

  • It is recommended to mulch-in-place about 1x per week for best results.

  • You can use a bag attachment to easily transport mulched leaves into your garden beds or compost bins, or you can use a mulch plug which leaves the mulched leaves on the lawn.

Composting 101

  • Whole or shredded leaves can be added to your regular compost bin with your kitchen scraps, providing beneficial nitrogen and phosphorus to use in your garden beds.

  • Create “leaf mold” by piling leaves together, watering, and occasionally mixing the pile. This can be done in the open or with a simple chicken wire enclosure.

    • Leaf mold is a great soil amendment

    • See videos below for more information on leaf mold

  • EPA Composting Guidelines

Questions?

Fill out the form below or reach out directly to Claire - kaleta@swwtwater.org

 
 

References:

  1. Selbig, William. Science of Total Environment, Vol 571, November 15, 2016. P 124-133.

  2. Wisconsin DNR, “Responses to Comments Municipal Phosphorus Reduction Credit for Leaf Management Programs,” February 2022.