Autumn makes for pretty trees, but those trees create a lot of work for homeowners once temperatures get colder.

Remember this: Raking the fallen leaves in your yard can be a tedious task come fall, and it actually may not even be the best way to get rid of them anyway.

Catch up quick: According to the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office, there are a number of other (easier) ways to dispose of leaves without getting out the rake and bagging them.

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Here are some of the more beneficial ways to get rid of yard leaves this fall and winter.

Mulching:

Instead of raking, mow the leaves back into the lawn with a mulch mower.

• Doing so turns leaves into material that the soil can use.
• Up to one inch of leaves can be mowed at a time, with a total of up to six inches of leaves throughout the fall.
• Once the leaves have been successfully mulched, the chopped leaves can help with moisture and controlling weed growth when spread out in gardens and around trees.

Composting:

According to the Johnson County K-State Research and Extension Office, turning leaves into compost can also turn them into a good source of nutrients for lawns.

• The general rule of thumb is to include “greens and browns” in the composting pile. So, grass clippings, shredded leaves and branch prunings.
• Other items outside of the yard can also be included in compost, such as kitchen waste like apple peels, banana peels and coffee grounds.

Proper disposal:

Once leaves are successfully mulched or composted and ready to be disposed of, they can be collected through a number of Johnson County waste haulers.

• Some local composting companies, such as Compost Collective KC and Food Cycle KC, will also collect yard waste via curbside pickup.
• Outside of pickup, Johnson Countians can drop off yard waste themselves at various waste dropoff sites across the county.

A final thought: It’s illegal in Johnson County to dump leaves and yard waste in storm drains or near streams, as this can block the flow of water and create water quality problems.