Fall is probably one of the most incredible seasons of the year that people wait for. The fallen brown, orange, and yellow leaves may seem aesthetic for many but can be a pain for yard owners. Wrangling dead leaves out of the lawn is a tiring and excruciating chore. As a yard owner, you’re probably looking for a better way to handle leaves this fall with maximum efficiency and minimal back pain.
The truth is that yard owners need to pay attention to and take steps towards dealing with the debris falling in their yard. Although a few leaves here and there won’t hurt, but letting them pile up in your lawn can create the perfect dark and damp conditions for lawn destruction.
Not only will your lawn look incredibly messy with the heaps and piles of leaves, but as spring comes around, you’ll have to get rid of all the dead material and will have to plant new growth to replace bare patches. That being said, here are a few ways to help you deal with leaves this fall.
Contents
Get The Right Tools
There are certain tools that make it easier and more manageable to deal with fall leaves. Getting your hands on these tools will help you conduct this tedious chore more effectively.
Rake
A leaf rake is the first tool you’ll need in your arsenal to deal with fall leaves. There are several types of rakes out there, with each one having its own purpose. For instance, a heavy steel rake helps aerate your lawn in spring, but it is way too heavy to use for lighter leaves.
Since you’ll come across fallen leaves very frequently during the fall season, you will want to invest in a good lightweight rake with a long handle so that you won’t have to bend over again and again. An adjustable leaf rake might just be the best option for you as it allows you to grab the leaves fallen on your yard along with those between flower beds.
Leaf Blower
A leaf blower is another handy tool that will help you blow the fallen leaves into piles. Since most large leaf blowers run on gas, making them less eco-friendly, you should opt for electric or battery-powered ones that are also easier to use.
Lawnmower
Another great option to deal with fall leaves is to mow them over, effectively transforming them into mulch on the grass. This allows the soil to absorb the decomposing leaves, adding to its fertility. Take the bag off your lawnmower during the fall season to let the chop leaves and grass clippings fall back into the soil.
However, it’s essential to acknowledge that your lawn can absorb only so many dead leaves, so even if you do try the mulching method, you will eventually have to pick up the excess dead leaves and get rid of them. The benefit of using a lawnmower is that you can simply put the bag once you think your soil has gotten enough mulch.
Timing Is Everything
Once you’ve got the right equipment, you’ll need to figure out when you’re going to tackle this problem. Your timing will largely depend on your schedule and how much energy you have for this task. Most yard owners choose to wait for all the leaves to fall so that they can rake it all at once. Although this is the most time-efficient method, it is also the most arduous one. Another option is to rake the leaves every weekend, as it will be easier due to the manageable pile size.
If you’re planning to use your lawnmower to get rid of the fall leaves, then it’s better to tackle them on a regular basis (at least once a week). This will also help prevent the leaves from piling up and blocking the sunlight for the grass.
Additionally, always account for the weather conditions. While the rain will make the leaves heavier and difficult to move, strong winds will make it more challenging to gather the debris.
Use Effective Raking Strategies
You may have gotten your equipment and are now standing in the garden holding the leaf rake, wondering where to begin. Figuring out the most effective strategy to rake is quite an interesting challenge.
The most effective solution is to rake towards the final destination of the leaves. Whether you’re forming a compost pile or are planning to gather them for disposal, start raking at the farthest point from that spot and work towards the end.
Remember not to rake all the leaves into a single big pile, as this will be very difficult to move. Instead, a better option would be to rake leaves into smaller piles so that they can be picked up and disposed off easily.
Also, keep taking regular breaks in between. Otherwise, this vigorous exercise will burn you out too quickly. Set some goals and take a break after achieving each goal.
Deal With The Remnants
It is very important to plan for the leaves you’ll collect once you’ve picked them up from your lawn. Generally, composting is the ideal solution, as it allows you to use those leaves as mulch to grow your garden in the spring. If you’re not ready to compost yourself, reach out to the municipal government or a local company to come and pick up the leaves.
Wrapping Up
Every yard-owner wants their lawn to look healthy throughout the year, and fall is usually one of the most difficult seasons to handle the lawn. We hope that the above tips will help you get a grip on how to deal with leaves this fall season.
