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Landscaping in Rockville MD: How to Manage and Use Your Fall Leaves

It is hard to remember that leaves serve an important purpose - especially when you are raking them on a weekend. Leaves are a valuable natural resource because they contain 50 to 80 percent of the nutrients a plant extracts from the soil and air during the season - and you don't want that good stuff to go to waste! Here are some ways in which leaves can be managed and used in the landscaping of your Rockville MD home.

  • Mowing: if you've only got a light covering of leaves and you have a mulching mower, you can leave the shredded leaves on the grass.
  • Mulching: is simple and effective, using your lawnmower with a bagging attachment to collect and shred the leaves. Take the shredded leaf mulch, and distribute it throughout your landscape. You'll want to place a 3 to 6 inch layer of shredded leaves around the base of trees and shrubs. With annual and perennial flower beds, a 2 to 3 inch mulch of shredded leaves is best.
  • Improving soil: using a till, work a 6-8 inch layer of leaves directly into the garden and flower beds. This will improve the aeration and drainage of a clay soil, and will help light sandy soil with retaining water and nutrients.
  • Composting: with or without a bin, you can create rich composting for your landscape. You'll need to layer 6-8 inches of leaves, then add an inch layer of soil, and then sprinkle some fertilizer. Repeat these steps and keep the compost moist.

For more information on landscaping in Rockville MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been Rockville, MD's leading licensed landscape contractor. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed, installed, and cared for landscape projects and irrigation systems.


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