What to do with all those leaves in your yard

Business is falling off for Tulsa companies that cleanup leaves. Everybody seems to have a different opinion on the leaves - how to gather them up - and what to do with them - so News on Six reporter

Thursday, November 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Business is falling off for Tulsa companies that cleanup leaves. Everybody seems to have a different opinion on the leaves - how to gather them up - and what to do with them - so News on Six reporter Emory Bryan shows us a few options to get rid of the leaves.

There are two kinds of lawns now - those without - and those with - a blanket of leaves. Every breeze delivers another flurry - a sign of good times for lawn services that can blow or rake and stack and drag - and suck the leaves into trucks.

David Coleman with Coleman Lawn Service: "Last year we were getting 3-4 yards before we had to go to the dump, this year we've gotten 2 loads off one yard, so it's a labor intensive thing." The labor aspect isn't news for most people who rake and bag it the traditional way. It's a lot of work to get those bags to the curb - but something the city had rather not see. It's a drain on the trash service - and a waste of what experts consider to be the stuff of gardening magic.

Ray Wiman, OSU Master Gardener: "They add nutrients to the soil, a lot of people think it's a lot of work, but you can compost by just piling them in the backyard." Wiman says with only a little effort leaves can be turned into dirt. The process is something that a few lawn services do - first gathering the leaves into a pile - then mowing over them several times. Only little pieces are left - which are much easier to sweep up - and it's a healthy addition in flowerbeds and yards. Mathew Testerman with Have Saws Will Travel: â€œThis way it's a little heavier but you don't have as many bags and as much bulk as you do with the fine rake up one time and sweep it up."

The city trash service will only pick up 6 bags of leaves at a time. People wanting to get rid of them sooner can either compost - or take the leaves to city mulching sites, where they can dump them for free.