Leaves a Falling

Edited by Dave Ernes – Lake Management Committee

Fall is in the air. So too are the myriad of leaves which end up covering every flat surface on your property. The question is: what is the best thing that can be done with them.

Some residents may be inclined to simply blow their leaves into the lake or culverts.  After all, Mother Nature does this on her own. However, unlike Mother Nature, you can be fined if you intentionally blow leaves into the lake. (The fines range from $100 for first offense to $300 and loss of membership rights for the third.) This also applies to grass clippings and other lawn debris.

Why is this important? Nutrients fuel algal blooms. ‘Nuff said? The Planet Natural Research Center web site states that 50-80 percent of the nutrients that trees absorb end up in the leaves. So, if you think that your tree is helping to reduce the nutrients ending up in the lake, make sure that the leaves don’t end up there or you have defeated the purpose.  

If you think this is an issue just for those living on the lake, leaves accumulating in the drainage culverts in off-lake properties can breakdown and the resulting high nutrient “tea” will flow into the lake.

What you CAN do:

• Some articles suggest leaving leaves on the lawn as it becomes dormant during the winter. However, too thick a mat could result in mold formation and thick mats can smother the lawn when it tries to awaken in the spring. Make sure culverts are clear if you choose this option.
• Most articles suggest that you mulch your leaves when mowing. Mowing more often in the fall will allow your mulching mower to do the hard work.  When they are mulched into small pieces, the nutrients can be extracted much easier by water or rain and become absorbed by the soil (not the lake!) reducing the need to use as much commercial fertilizer.  And it’s free!
• The old answer of course is to bag your leaves each fall. Or you can always have your landscaper do it for you. They should all follow the guidelines of the Association.
• If you do collect the leaves, and don’t want to use them to protect your plants or to produce compost, you can dispose of them, along with other fall debris, in the Association Compost Site rather than the trash. This site is a great Roaming Shores resource! (A key can be obtained from the RRA office during normal hours. Special arrangements can be made to keep the key during off-hours.)

With the help of all our residents continuing to act as stewards of Lake Roaming Rock, our combined efforts will eliminate one more threat to the health of our biggest asset.

(Original Article written by Tim Langer)

Remember to Love the Lake and Be Lake Responsible