What to do with all those falling leaves...

The autumn leaves, falling, falling, falling....

Wondering whether it's best to rake then compost leaves or to mulch them (so they can feed your lawn as they decompose). While opinions vary, generally if your grass is still growing and there is only a light layer of leaves, you can run your mulching lawn mower over the leaves and let them feed your lawn. Caution: too thick a layer of mulched leaves can smother your lawn.

Some options for your leaves:

• If you have a bag on your mower, bag them and add them to your compost pile.
• Pick a crisp fall day (or two or three) and have fun raking huge piles of leaves to jump in...before composting them.
• Make leafmold mulch by bagging your loads of leaves, making holes in the bags and storing them out-of-sight outside. Next spring mulch your garden beds with the leafmold (alkaline), or save it to use as a winter mulch.
• Have lots of mighty oaks nearby? Concerned that the tannin (tannic acid) in oak leaves is too acidic to compost or mulch with? It's true that they contain tannin, but some of their acidity is lost in the decay process. If you are composting, sprinkle the leaves with lime or wood ash to further reduce the acid. Add a layer of dirt after each foot or so of leaves will help them breakdown more quickly.
• While leaf blowers are an option for dry leaves, you need to justify the cost, odor, noise, and environmental impact.
• Another option is to employ an industrious youth or two to do the dirty work for you...if you're lucky, they'll even bring their own equipment!