[hinckley buzzard]

For 40 years I have lived in a house in a clearing in the woods. NE Ohio hardwoods. Every year the lawn is covered completely with leaves. Every year, late grass cutting with a regular power mower chops up the leaves into small pieces. Every Spring when the snow melts and the temperature turns warm, the lawn is deep green and healthy. Nary a leaf to be seen. Never raked a single Leaf and see no reason Why I ever would.

[woodbutcher1963]

I have 1 1/2 - 2 acres of grass. I a, south central NH.
I mulch in some areas and blow them side discharge into a ditch or off a retaining wall into a wetland area.

Leaves that are chopped up will be eaten by the worms in the winter when the lawn is covered by snow. Worms aerate the soil.

What you want to get up off the lawn is Pine needles. Pine needles and oak leaves are more acidic and will mess up your soils PH. I also put about a 1000 lbs of pelletized lime on the lawn every fall.