Rake up those leaves
Amy Jordan
Originally published 12:51 p.m., November 15, 2007
Updated 12:51 p.m., November 15, 2007
The fall foliage has been spectacular this year.
The colors have been brilliant and long-lasting. Even plants that I have never thought of as having nice fall color, like daylilies and some sedums, have been outstanding.
Trees that have yellow fall color, such as cottonwood and silver maple, many years are dull, but very bright this year.
So why are the leaves more colorful some years than others? There are several factors that play into fall color, most related to weather. Leaves serve as food factories for plants, producing sugars that are transported to the roots. A substance called chlorophyll captures the sunlight necessary for photosynthesis (food production). Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color. Other colors are also present in leaves, but masked by the chlorophyll. In the fall, as the length of days shortens and temperatures cool, changes occur in the plant, signaling an end to photosynthesis and the breakdown of chlorophyll. As this happens, the other pigments are visible. Sunshine and night time temperatures just above freezing intensify colors. Our later than usual freeze this year may have helped to extend and brighten the colors.
As leaves fall from the trees, it is important to rake them up and get them off of the grass. Leaves shade the grass, preventing sunlight from reaching it. Cool-season turfgrass plants are now experiencing optimal growth conditions, but that growth is reduced due to lack of sunlight. Leaves don’t need to be removed immediately, but leaving a thick layer of leaves on a lawn for more than 3 to 4 days can reduce potential growth and, in extreme cases, cause turfgrass plants to lose some green color. In that case, removing leaves will help turf bounce back fairly quickly. Young turf plants, with thin leaf blades and immature root systems, are particularly sensitive to shade stress, so leaves should be removed more frequently than from established turf.
What is a gardener to do with all of those leaves? Put them in a compost pile, of course! Today is America Recycles Day. Celebrate by starting a compost pile. It’s a great way to recycle yard debris, keeping it out of landfills and improving soil by incorporating the finished product into gardens. The Emporia/Lyon Co. Transfer Station will also accept leaves, grass clippings, and tree limbs. There is no tipping fee for these items, and they are composted on site. Other recyclables can be taken to the Emporia Recycling Center at 3100 W. South Ave. The center accepts cardboard, magazines and catalogs, phone books, “junk” mail, newspaper, paper, plastics, glass, tin and aluminum cans. Think GREEN, recycle today.