Fall Lawn Care Tips: The Importance of Leaf Cleanup this October

By October, most Rochester lawns are hidden beneath piles of fallen leaves. While it may seem harmless, a heavy leaf cover left to sit all winter can block air and light, trap moisture, and lead to turf disease. To keep your lawn healthy, Brockman Tree & Lawn Care offers professional fall leaf removal in Fairport, Rochester, and surrounding communities—giving your grass the best chance to thrive when spring returns.

Why Leaf Removal (and Mulching) Helps

When leaves build up too heavily on your lawn, they can “smother” the grass by blocking sunlight and restricting airflow. This can increase the risk of lawn diseases and delay the return of healthy green growth in spring. To prevent these issues, it’s important to rake or remove larger piles of leaves and keep your lawn clear.

However, not all leaves need to be removed. A light layer of leaves can be mulched with your mower, breaking them into fine pieces that nourish the soil. Additionally, some leaf litter can support beneficial insects and wildlife. Therefore, using a combination of strategies often works best.

Best Practices for October Leaf Management

• Wait for Dry Conditions: Wet leaves tend to clump together, making them more difficult to remove. Ideally, wait until the leaves are dry.

• Mulch When Possible: Use a mulching mower or make several passes over light layers of leaves to shred them finely.

• Rake or Blow Thick Patches: In areas near edges, sidewalks, under dense shade, or where leaves accumulate deeply, it is essential to remove leaf buildup.

• Dispose of Leaves Responsibly: Compost shredded leaves, use them as mulch in your planting beds, or bag them according to your local yard-waste guidelines. Avoid using plastic bags.

• Prioritize Cleanup Before Frost: Aim to finish your leaf cleanup before the first hard freeze or snow, as mats of leaves become harder to break apart after frost.

Why Brockman’s Fall Cleanup Makes Sense

Leaf management is just one piece in Brockman Tree & Lawn Care’s full seasonal lawn maintenance program. When you entrust us with your fall cleanup, we:

• Assess which zones to mulch vs remove.

• Use professional equipment to avoid damaging turf.

• Ensure your yard is ready for winter and primed for spring growth.

In Rochester and the surrounding areas, including Fairport, Henrietta, and beyond, early action makes all the difference in protecting your turf and preventing issues later.

Ready for Leaf Removal?

Don’t let fallen leaves damage your lawn as winter approaches. If your yard is covered in leaves, has tricky terrain, or you simply want the job done right, Brockman Tree & Lawn Care is here to help. Contact our expert team at (585) 608-0623 to schedule your fall cleanup or coordinate leaf removal alongside lawn rolling, aeration and overseeding, or fertilization. Let us take care of the leaves so your lawn can thrive in the spring. Your yard deserves the best—let Brockman Tree & Lawn Care help you achieve it!

Beaulieu, David. “Is It Necessary to Rake Leaves off the Lawn?” The Spruce (blog). September 7, 2022. https://www.thespruce.com/why-necessary-to-rake-leaves-off-the-lawn-2132361

Bauer, Sam. “Good Question: Do You Really Need to Rake All Those Leaves?” Turfgrass Science, University of Minnesota, November 15, 2013. https://turf.umn.edu/news/good-question-do-you-really-need-rake-all-those-leaves