Fallen leaves can feed the soil, but leaving them in thick layers on the lawn can cause fungal problems. This guide from Ohio State University Extension walks through the options: mulching with a mower, composting, using shredded leaves as garden mulch, making leaf mold, or sending yard waste to a municipal composting facility. The article also covers what not to do. Burning leaves releases carbon monoxide and dioxins, and it is illegal in many Ohio cities. Sending leaves to the landfill wastes space, and raking them into storm drains pollutes local waterways. If you have a few trees, the mulching mower approach is the quickest way to return nutrients to the yard. For deeper beds or larger volumes, leaf mold and municipal pickup are better fits. The right choice depends on how many leaves you have and where they land.
