Fall means beautiful foliage — and a yard full of leaves. Instead of raking and bagging them by hand, you can save time and effort by mulching leaves with your lawn mower. Learning how to mulch leaves properly turns those autumn leaves into nutrient-rich mulch that feeds your soil, improves lawn health, and keeps your yard looking neat.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to mulch leaves with a mower, tips for best results, and why mulching is one of the easiest fall lawn care tricks homeowners can use.

Why Mulch Leaves Instead of Rake Them?

Mulching leaves comes with major benefits:

  • Faster cleanup — no raking, bagging, or hauling to the curb
  • Natural fertilizer for your lawn
  • Helps soil retain moisture and improve texture
  • Environmentally friendly — reduces yard waste

If you’re wondering “how do you mulch leaves?”, the answer is simple: your lawn mower can do most of the work for you!

Step-By-Step: How To Mulch Leaves With a Lawn Mower

1. Set Your Mower to Mulching Mode

Most modern mowers have a mulching setting or kit. This helps finely chop leaves so they break down faster.

If you don’t have a mulching kit, River East Power Equipment can help you upgrade your mower.

2. Mow Dry Leaves

Wet leaves tend to clump and clog your mower. Aim for dry, crunchy leaves for the best mulching results.

3. Adjust Mower Height

A medium height setting works best. Too low can clog the deck; too high won’t chop leaves finely enough.

4. Mow in Overlapping Passes

Run the mower over the leaf-covered area in two directions. This ensures the leaves are shredded evenly.

5. Keep Mulch Thin

If you see thick piles of shredded leaves left behind, go over them again. When done properly, mulched leaves should settle between blades of grass and start breaking down quickly.

How Many Leaves Can You Mulch?

A good rule of thumb: if your grass is still visible through the leaf layer before mulching, your mower can handle it. If it’s completely covered, mulch in stages or remove excess leaves.

Tips for Better Leaf Mulching Results

  • Sharpen your mower blades for a cleaner cut
  • Remove sticks or branches first — they can damage your mower
  • Don’t mulch extremely thick wet piles
  • Consider mulching every 1–2 weeks during peak leaf-drop season

Can You Mulch Leaves With Any Lawn Mower?

You can mulch leaves with a lawn mower whether it’s push, self-propelled, or a riding mower — but mulching kits or mulching blades deliver the best results.

Need help outfitting your mower? A quality mulching blade makes a big difference.

Mulching Leaves Helps Your Lawn Thrive

When mulched properly, leaves act as a natural fertilizer. They return organic matter and nutrients to your soil — boosting lawn health without extra chemicals.

It’s a smart, low-effort way to get a greener lawn come spring.

Ready To Make Fall Cleanup Easier?

Whether you need a mulching mower, a mulching blade kit, or expert advice on how to mulch leaves, River East Power Equipment is here to help.

👉 Visit River East Power Equipment in East Windsor, CT for top-brand mowers, mulching attachments, and fall lawn care equipment.
Locally owned. Expert service. Trusted by CT homeowners.

Stop in or call today — and turn leaf cleanup into your easiest lawn job of the year!