Why Fall Leaf Cleanup Matters More Than Just Curb Appeal

Most homeowners think Fall leaf cleanup is just about keeping the yard tidy for the holidays. But there’s a bigger reason to clear leaves off your lawn in the fall.

Leaves that stay on the lawn through winter create a damp, dark environment where fungus, disease, and pests can survive until spring. Conditions like leaf spot, brown patch, dollar spot, and mold thrive underneath thick leaf layers. Especially in Memphis, where winter moisture and warmer spells create ideal conditions for disease to linger.

When leaves stay matted down over dormant grass, airflow is blocked and moisture remains trapped. That can weaken turf roots and delay spring green-up. By the time warm weather returns, the lawn may already be stressed, thin, or patchy. This gives weeds an easy opening.

Cleaning up leaves in the fall protects your turf, supports healthier spring growth, and reduces disease pressure long before you notice symptoms.

So while a clean yard looks great for the season, it also plays a major role in lawn health that most people never see.

If you’d like help preparing your lawn for winter, just reach out. Now's the ideal window.