Here are three tips for removing leaves off your lawn. The sight of all those leaves covering your lawn fills you with dread. Excuses to procrastinate run through your head, chasing each other, like words on a teleprompter. But, you discard them just as quickly.
After all, leaving dead leaves could suffocate your lawn—they could prevent the grass from receiving sunlight. But, it doesn’t have to be tedious. You may already have the tools hidden somewhere in your house or garage. If you don’t, you can find them at your favorite hardware or any home improvement store.
Having an immaculate lawn can be a lot of work, but it need not be. Below are tips on the most effective and efficient methods of clearing your lawn, so that when spring comes, your lawn will have healthy grass.
1. Use Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers are easy to use. They’re also one of the most versatile landscaping tools you can own. Moreover, you don’t need training to use a leaf blower; they’re safe and user-friendly.
If you don’t own one, it’s high time you should. You may visit sites like properlyrooted.com for a reliable selection of leaf blowers.
Don’t go firing up that leaf blower just yet, however. You’ve got to have a plan of attack. First, make sure the leaves are dry. Wet leaves stick to the ground, and if that happens, they won’t be easy to blow around.
You don’t have to use your leaf blower immediately after a rainstorm. You can at least wait a day before clearing your lawn of dead leaves. Leaves should be dry by then.
Next, walk around your yard. Pick up large items and loose objects, like kid’s toys, twigs, gardening supplies, and others. Large items should be pushed out of your way so as not to hinder your movement.
Don’t go blowing leaves without a plan. Follow a pattern. Funnel those leaves towards a designated area where you plan to pile them up. And, remember to wear protective gear: boots, gloves, safety glasses, and earmuffs for the noise.
2. Mulch The Leaves With Lawn Mower
Mulching is among the easiest ways to deal with removing leaves off your lawn. Just use your lawnmower to shred the leaves. Mowing over fallen leaves can turn them into a mulch-like matter that could serve as a natural fertilizer for your lawn.
For an effective mulch, the dead leaves should be cut into debris less than an inch in diameter. Make sure they’re spread out evenly all over your lawn.
The mulch shouldn’t be excessive or it might suffocate the grass. There should be at least a half inch of grass peeking out from a layer of mulch.
Probably, the best lawn mower model for this is one of those with a side discharge. You can set the lawnmower to mulch if your lawnmower has that setting.
This setting is effective especially for grass with normal length, and the leaves are dry, but not too dry. Leaves with a little moisture are the most ideal for mulching.
Use the ‘stripes’ technique when mowing. This way, you can go over the leaf clippings from your earlier passes, reducing them further, turning them into debris more suited for mulch. You can also mow in concentric circles as it’s also an effective method of shredding the leaves for mulching.
3. Use The Hand Rake
The first two methods can make removing leaves off your lawn faster, but you can also use a hand rake. Old fashioned it may be, but it’s still a perfectly fine tool for removing leaves.
A hand rake is affordable and is easily procured in any hardware store. Sure, your lawn-clearing job might take longer, but you’d do a more thorough job. You can clear every nook and cranny of your lawn using a rake.
Using a hand rake to clear leaves off your lawn can be tiring, but you can use a few techniques to turn the chore from back-breaking to something simpler and easier.
First, get a proper hand rake. The old, rusty rake in your garage might no longer be as effective as the newer models. Rakes, too, have evolved over the years. The new models could give a better and easier experience than your old, standard rake.
Get a rake with an ergonomically designed handle, and one that’s also lightweight. A heavy rake will tire you out quicker and you might not finish the job. Rakes with an uncomfortable feel would just strain your back and shoulder muscles. Also, get a rake with a wide end so you’ll pick more leaves with each sweep.
Conclusion
Leaving leaves on your lawn is bad for the grass. The tools you can use for an easier time clearing your lawn are readily available. Leaf blowers and lawnmowers would get the job done quicker, but a hand rake is fine, too.
