Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on LawnStarter.
Cleaning up leaves is a classic annual chore that everyone loves to hate. Still, it’s really important, especially for a tidy and pest-free lawn. So, here are the best ways to clean up leaves in your yard.
For small yards, raking into manageable piles works great. Bigger yards? Use a leaf blower or a lawn mower with a mulching feature; they can save you lots of time and effort.
You can also turn those leaves into mulch or compost, which will benefit your garden. And to keep the mess under control, use leaf bags or tarps to gather everything up.
Remember, your best leaf removal method depends on your yard’s size, the number of trees, and your own preferences. So, let’s take a closer look at the best options and the pros and cons of each.
1. Leaf Blowers (Optional Vacuum Feature)
Try a leaf blower if you want some speed and a sprinkle of fun while cleaning up your yard. This power tool helps you clear leaves quickly and works for both small and big yards.
Yes, a leaf blower can be noisy, but it beats raking any day. Just point your blower at the leaves, and it will blow them into a neat pile with a strong gust of air.
Note: Leaf blowers and leaf vacuums are different, but most modern tools combine both features. A blower piles up leaves while a vacuum sucks them up using a bagging system. Plus, they may include a mulching feature to turn leaves into fine pieces for your compost pile or garden.
Leaf Blower Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multi-Surface Helper: Leaf blowers are perfect for clearing leaves from driveways, patios, and grassy areas. They even handle tight corners and hard-to-reach spots (like around shrubs or gutters) with ease, making your cleanup super easy.
- Quick Cleanup: A leaf blower can drastically reduce the time it takes to clear your yard of leaves. Powerful blowers can get the job done faster.
- Variety of Models: There are different types of leaf blowers — handheld, backpack, and walk-behind models — to suit varying needs.
- Less Effort: Using a leaf blower is less physically demanding than raking, which means more work with less effort.
Cons:
- Noise Level: Leaf blowers can be pretty loud. Check your local area’s regulations on noise levels, as some places restrict their use during certain hours.
- Air Pollution/Greenhouse Gas Emissions (gas-powered models): Be aware that gas models produce emissions that contribute to air pollution and global warming.
- Power Source: Depending on the model, you might find yourself tangled in an electric cord or needing to recharge a battery. Gas models require proper fuel handling.
- Creates Dust and Debris Clouds: If it’s a dry day, leaf blowers can kick up dust and other small particles, which may cause respiratory discomfort.
2. Lawn Mowers With Mulching Capability
A lawn mower is one of the best ways to clean up leaves on lawns. Why break your back raking when your trusty lawn mower can handle it? Just run over the leaves a couple of times, and your mower will chop them into little pieces, ready to be used as mulch or compost for the lawn.
Make sure the shredded leaves fall between the grass blades, and don’t suffocate your turf.
Note: If you have lots of trees and a thick carpet of leaves, use a special mulching mower or attach a mulching blade to your regular mower. Set the mower height to about 3 inches and avoid wet leaves (they’re the worst).
Lawn Mowers With Mulching Capability Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Time and Effort Saving: One action to mow and mulch.
- Natural Fertilizer: Mulched leaves provide nutrients like nitrogen to the soil as they decompose, acting as a natural fertilizer for your lawn.
- Environmentally Friendly: No transportation or disposal of leaves.
Cons:
- Potential Smothering: Too much leaf mulch can suffocate your grass.
- Equipment Limitations: Some mowers may not be as effective at mulching leaves, requiring multiple passes or special mulching blades.
- Hidden Objects: Leaves can hide objects that could damage the mower or cause injury if hit.
- Restrictions: Not suitable for leaves on patios, driveways, or in flower beds.
3. Raking Leaves
Using a rake is the old-school — and therefore reliable — method, especially for small to medium-sized yards. Choose a big, sturdy rake, preferably with an adjustable width, to make it easy to transfer leaves into leaf bags or a wheelbarrow.
Raking is good old manual labor and can take some time, but it’s perfect if you don’t have too many trees or your yard isn’t large.
Raking Leaves Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Physical Exercise: It’s an excellent upper-body workout.
- All-Terrain: Ideal for trees close to the house, flower beds, tight spaces and corners — places a lawn mower may not reach or potentially harm.
- Child-Friendly: Your kids can help (or jump into the piles).
- Cost-Effective: All you need is a rake and yard waste bags.
- Quiet Operation: It allows you to work in silence and avoid disturbing your neighbors.
Cons:
- Time-consuming: It requires a lot more effort and time than mechanical methods.
- Labor-Intensive: It can be hard work, particularly for large areas or heavy leaf coverage.
- Physical Strain: If you’re not careful, this method can cause blisters on your hands and strain your back.
4. Leave the Leaves (Natural Approach)
Depending on the health of your lawn, you might consider leaving the leaves be. This concept encourages letting nature take its course. However, the leaves shouldn’t smother the lawn (a 10% to 20% leaf coverage is generally acceptable).
Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that a limited amount of leaves can provide important winter habitats for small beneficial insects, birds, wildlife, and microorganisms.
If your leaf blanket is not too dense and you don’t mind having an all-natural look in part of your yard over the winter, this might be an option worth considering. Plus, it’s definitely the least labor-intensive route.
Natural Approach Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Supports Wildlife: Fallen leaves offer shelter for small creatures and insects.
- Enriched Soil: Leaves slowly break down into organic matter, enriching the soil.
- Low Effort: Minimal work involved.
Cons:
- Ground Cover: Your grass might be starved of light and air, causing problems in the spring.
- Potential to Harbor Pests: Attract insects, fungal diseases, or pests if not kept in check.
- Aesthetics: Some homeowners may find a yard covered with leaves unsightly.
