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My backyard is looking spectacular with the autumnal tones of gold and russet leaves. And I don’t even mind as they drift onto my lawn, creating a beautiful carpet of color.

But while I’m happy for them to settle for a short while, I won’t leave them all through winter, because although I appreciate their current aesthetic, over time they’ll damage my lawn.

Why you need to rake leaves off your lawn

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

A light flurry of leaves is not so much of a problem, but once your lawn gets covered in a carpet of fallen leaves, it can harm its health if they are not removed.

A thick layer of leaves is an open invitation to fungal disease, as the decaying matter traps moisture, blocks airflow and starves the grass of sunlight. This dark and damp microclimate is the perfect environment for fungi to thrive.

The layer of fallen leaves acts like a blanket, holding in rain, dew and condensation.…