Rochester, NY (WROC) — It’s that time of year when the leaves aren’t just changing color, they’re starting to fall. Lawns and roads continue to be covered with colorful foliage during the fall season, which can increase the risk of flooding on roads.
While it’s certainly a beautiful sight to see the leaves on trees keep changing colors, when those leaves fall to the ground, they can cause problems for your lawn if the leaves aren’t properly cared for. Wayne Brockman, co-owner of Brockman Tree & Lawn Care, recommends removing the leaves yourself. He recommends not waiting until next spring to do so, as services offered vary by city.
“Leaving debris on your lawn during the winter can damage it in the spring. There is damage to the grass,” Wayne said.
According to Wayne, depending on land conditions, leaves left on the streets can clog storm drains, making roads more susceptible to flooding.
“It is ideal not to leave the mountains unattended along the roads that cover these drainage channels, because when it rains a lot, it creates another problem … If the leaves are left for too long, the rain will crush the leaves. If they are dry and just lying on the grass, they are very easy to blow or vacuum and you can just scoop them up. You don’t have to take it,” Wayne said.
If you use a leaf blower instead of a rake to get the job done, be careful not to let everything fall into the road or the gutters of your house. If you find a clogged storm drain, scoop up the debris, place it in a suitable waste container, and wait for your garden waste service to come pick it up.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to remove leaves from your garden instead of burning them in barrels, consider mowing, composting, or bagging instead.
