Question
I live in north-central Massachusetts, and we got our first snow-pack before I had done my fall yard/leave clean-up.  What can I expect in the Spring, and how can I clean up all the leaves efficiently then?!

THANKS!

Answer
Good afternoon Steve:
As snows depart each spring, lawns often show damage that occurred during the winter. In particular, vole (mice) and snow mold (fungus disease) damage can be very destructive to lawns.
Voles will make runways under the snow in lawns as they feed on grass blades and roots and are protected from predators. Voles, or meadow mice, are about 4 to 6 inches long and brownish-gray in color. Vole damage appears as runways or winding trails of damaged grass. Lawns usually fill-in as conditions warm in spring. Severe damage may require some overseeding. This year help prevent damage from occurring by continuing to mow lawns until grass is completely dormant in fall. Mow at a final height of about 2 inches. Because you did not clean up the leaves and other debris it may have helped to provide cover for the voles over the winter.
Snow mold damage can also be very visible on many lawns as snows recede in spring. Both gray and pink snow mold may occur. During the wet, cold weather of early spring, snow mold may be highly visible as matted, crusty looking areas. As conditions dry out, snow mold will gradually disappear but infected areas may remain in the form of weak or even dead turf. Conditions which may contribute to snow mold include excessive use of fast-release nitrogen fertilizer in early to mid fall, excessive thatch, excessive shade, poor drainage, and excessive debris on the turf. Areas receiving drifting snow or piles of deposited snow are also prone to snow mold. To avoid snow mold from becoming a severe problem follow sound fertilization programs, using fertilizers containing slow-release or controlled-release nitrogen except for the last application (winterizer) which may be a fast release type.  Manage thatch by aeration, or removal by vertical mowing (dethatching). Surface drainage should be adequate. Improve air circulation by pruning or removing dense vegetation bordering problem lawn areas. Mow lawns until completely dormant in fall.
Repair snow mold damage in spring by raking the matted grass and fertilizing. Reseed or re-sod as necessary using resistant varieties. Fungicide sprays may be needed.

Rake the leaves and other debris off your lawn as early in the spring as possible. The sooner you can get sun light to the root zone the sooner your turfgrass will be able to recover. Do not allow traffic on the lawn if it is covered with a frosty layer.
Have a good lawn!
Floyd McMahon