When the time comes, cleaning the leaves in your garden, raking or blowing them, is essential. This is important because if left on the lawn, these leaves will block sunlight from reaching the property and can lead to turf diseases. When you think about removing leaves from your garden, it sounds tedious, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You already have the proper tools around your house to remove leaves and if you don’t already have them you can get them at any hardware store. Grab your rake, leaf trimmer, and lawn blower, and let’s get started.
Leaf Rake
A leaf rake will remove those leaves from your yard, twigs, grass clippings, and whatever else, but know that raking is backbreaking. To make this task easier, you should choose a rake with an ergonomic and lightweight handle. If your rake is
uncomfortable to hold, it will exhaust your shoulders and back very quickly, making leaf removal a daunting task. Choose a rake with a wide end. The wider your rake, the more leaves you can pick up with each sweep.
Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers are one of the most versatile tools you can buy. Homeowners and landscapers use them for dozens of tasks, including leaf removal and yard cleanup. Leaf blowers are generally easy to use but very noisy. Check your state laws before purchasing your leaf blower, as cities increasingly ban gasoline-powered lawn care equipment due to their emissions, and some towns have leaf-blowing time restrictions due to noise.
Mulching Mowers
If your mower has a mulching mower, great! When your lawn is full of leaves, removing them before mowing is unnecessary. Instead, mowing on the leaves can help create a nutritious, organic mulch for your property, providing all-natural fertilization during the fall and winter. Ideally, cut the leaves into dime-sized pieces for effective mulch. You should see about a half inch of grass above the layer of shredded leaves. Remember that mulched leaves will help the turf as the clippings go through their natural life processes. The pieces of leaves will begin to settle on the ground, and the microorganisms will begin the decomposition process. These leaf clippings are essential food for your lawn, which makes fallen leaves an important and valuable resource for your garden.