Once those autumn leaves turn brown and hit the ground, it’s time to start the fall chore of leaf collection. But it doesn’t have to be a hardship—by using certain gadgets and following the right strategies, cleaning up those leaves will be a breeze. In this article, we’ll share the best tools to collect fall leaves, methods to clean them up, and eco-friendly options for leaf collection.
Tools for Leaf Collection
There are a few methods to collect fall leaves, and each comes with a different set of tools. We’ll explore the most common options below.
Rakes: The Traditional Approach
If you’re looking for a bit of a workout, you can take the traditional approach and use a rake to clean up your fallen leaves. They’re affordable and easy to use, and you don’t need to power them up to get the job done. Some modern rakes have ergonomic handles so that you remain more comfortable and reduce strain.
When you choose your rake, look for one that matches your yard size and the leaf type you’re dealing with. Larger yards need a wide rake with flexible tines so they can cover more ground. Small spaces or an area with delicate plants require a narrower rake with stiffer tines.
Leaf Blowers: Power and Efficiency
Leaf blowers offer a faster alternative to rakes, especially for larger properties. You can find them in both gas-powered and electric models. Gas blowers are louder and require upkeep, but they’re more powerful and can operate for a while before they run out of gas. Electric models, which you can find cord-free, are quiet and more environmentally friendly, but they run out of power faster than gas-powered blowers.
When you want to clean up leaves with a blower, start from the outer edges of your yard and work your way inward or go from one end to the other. Pile leaves together so that you can collect them easily and remember to pay attention to which way the wind blows.
Leaf Vacuums: Suction and Mulching
Leaf vacuums provide efficient leaf collection just like blowers. In some cases, the vacuums will also shred the leaves. The shredded leaves are easier to dispose of—you can use them as mulch for your garden. Some vacuum models will let you switch between vacuum and blower, making them more versatile.
Leaf vacuums work best on dry leaves and are especially useful if you’re trying to clean up leaves in hard-to-reach areas like around shrubs or in flower beds.
Useful Leaf Collection Accessories
Now that we’ve covered the different approaches and tools you can take during leaf collection, we’ll explain accessories that can make the job even easier.
Leaf Tarps and Haulers
Leaf tarps and haulers help you transport piles of leaves. The EZ Lawn and Garden 6×4-foot Leaf Hauler Sport is an excellent example of this type of accessory. Handles along the outer edge make it easy to reposition, while the ones along the narrow edges are perfect for picking up the loaded tarp, folding it over like a taco, and then tipping its contents into a bag or pail. Stiff corners and tent-pole-like rods give it enough structure to make filling easier.
A tarp of that size can hold about four wheelbarrows full of leaves, which is what you’d need to clean up leaves in a medium or large yard.
Leaf Chutes and Funnels
Leaf chutes and funnels make it easier to bag leaves when working solo. The KwicKan 33-55 Gallon Portable Instant Container is a prime example of this type of tool. It’s a flexible ABS plastic that you can insert into paper or plastic bags that hold up to 55 gallons in size. It will flex open to a “U” shape and hold the bag open wide enough for you to put in leaves by hand, by shovel, or if using a tarp. It also holds other items, such as lawn clippings or trash.
Ergonomic Leaf Shovels
If you push leaves into piles or need to clean up wet, heavy leaves, using an ergonomic leaf shovel can be a game-changer. The Razor-Back 29-inch D-Handle Aluminum Scoop is an excellent choice for this purpose. The D-shaped handle provides comfortable grip and leverage, and the shovel head is wide enough to make scooping up leaves much easier. It won’t rust, and you can also use it to move rocks, soil, granulated lawn amendments, and compost.
Strategies for Efficient Leaf Collection
Now that you have the right tools to clean up your yard, here are some tips to help you tackle this autumn chore effectively:
- Create a leaf collection plan: If you’re using a rake or leaf blower, start at one end of your yard and work your way across. For larger properties, divide your yard into sections and tackle one area at a time.
- Maintain your tools: If you neglect your tools, you’ll end up having to replace them prematurely. Clean tools after each use, store them in a dry place, and follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for power tools.
- Time your leaf collection: It might be tempting to wait until all the leaves have fallen before you pick them up, but that can lead to an overwhelming amount of work and potential lawn damage. Instead, aim to collect leaves regularly throughout the fall season, trying to collect leaves during dry weather, so they aren’t very heavy.
Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Leaf Removal
Sometimes you might need to remove leaves from your yard, but if you don’t have to, there are some eco-friendly alternatives that can benefit your lawn and garden. You can reduce your workload while also creating a healthier ecosystem for your yard with these methods:
- Composting fall leaves: You can use those carbon-rich leaves in a compost pile to balance out nitrogen-heavy material, such as grass clippings. Shred the leaves with a leaf vacuum or lawnmower to help speed up decomposition and then layer shredded leaves with other compost materials, turning them every so often.
- Mulching leaves: Mulching leaves directly into your lawn can feed it valuable nutrients and organic matter. Many modern lawnmowers can mulch the leaves for you, but make sure you do it often to avoid buildup.
Dealing with Wet and Matted Leaves
Wet and matted leaves are heavy and stick together. They can be slippery, so take extra care on slopes or hard surfaces. For those fallen leaves that are hard to rake or blow:
- Allow leaves to dry if possible before attempting to collect them
- Consider a leaf vacuum with strong suction
- Lift matted leaves in large areas with a power rake or dethatcher
- Scoop up wet leaves with a leaf shovel
- Use a sturdy rake with stiff tines to break up matted leaves
Proper Leaf Disposal Methods
Your municipality will likely have a leaf collection system in place. Many towns offer curbside pickup if you have bagged leaves. Some require special biodegradable paper bags, while others allow plastic bags. A few tips when packing those bags are below:
- Keep bags light enough to lift easily.
- Place bags at the curb according to local collection schedules.
- Seal bags securely to prevent spills.
Some municipalities will vacuum leaves from the street. If this is the case in your community, you can simply rake or blow the leaves into the street, but keep storm drains clear and avoid including sticks, rocks, and other debris in your street leaf piles. You might also want to avoid parking in the street on collection days.
Preventing Leaf Accumulation
Did you know there were ways to minimize leaf accumulation? Although you’ll still need to do a yard cleanup every so often, take these steps to minimize the work:
- Consider planting trees with smaller leaves or evergreens near high-traffic areas.
- Create windbreaks to direct fallen leaves to specific areas of your yard.
- Install gutter guards to prevent leaf buildup in your gutters.
- Maintain a healthy lawn that can better withstand leaf cover.
- Prune trees and shrubs in late winter or early spring to reduce leaf production.
Our Conclusion
Leaf collection is a chore many homeowners don’t look forward to every fall. There are strategies and tools to make the job easier and a little more fun, though. Use an ergonomic rake and burn some calories while you remove leaves or opt for a combination blower/vacuum to get the job done fast. You can also use shredded leaves in compost or as mulch to enrich your garden. We recommend you learn your community’s leaf pickup schedule before heading out to collect your leaves and remove them when it’s dry outside to avoid any slips or falls.
