Here in Nashville, there are a lot of trees. Old, broad, tall trees with a lot of leaves. Though leaves are beautiful, when they eventually fall to the ground they can cover your lawn so densely that you might not see any grass at all. In the quest to get rid of leaves and save lawns, there are a few options.
1. Raking. Raking leaves while they are dry is an effective way to get leaves into piles. The biggest advantage to raking is that it’s cheap. Rakes are inexpensive and effective. Wholesale stores like Costco or Sam’s Club, as well as grocery stores sell compost bags specifically designed for leaves. These compost bags run from $.35 a bag if you buy in bulk, to $2.50 per individual bag. The bags can then be taken to compost centers for further use. The downside to the raking method is time. It can take a while to get leaves raked into piles and placed into compost bags. Remember, if you use this method, always wear gloves to protect from injury.
2. Leaf blowing. Leaf blowers are an effective and time efficient way to get leaves into piles. When looking for a leaf blower, there a few key things to look at:
- Electric or Gas Powered
- Overall Engine Power in MPH
- Mulching Kit Component
There are advantages to owning electric and gas powered leaf blowers. Most leaf blowers on the market tend to be electric, so a quality extension cord should also be purchased. Typical engine speeds range from approximately 150 mph to 260 mph, depending on the make and model.
3. Mulching. Many leaf blowers have a mulching kit attachment available. Mulching leaves into compost is the most efficient way to eliminate leaves from a lawn. Many leaf blowers have suction speeds ranging from 180 mph to 220 mph. It’s important to look at blade types as well, as metal blades will last longer than plastic blades. Another consideration is if the mulching kit has a bag attachment or a plastic hose attachment. If your property has a lot of twigs and acorns, you should consider going with a leaf blower/mulching kit that has a rubber or plastic hose attachment rather than just a bag attachment. Twigs can be sharp and often rip through bag attachments, meaning repeat purchases of mulching attachment bags are necessary. Once you fill up a mulching bag or can, simply put the compost into compost bags and take them to your local compost center.
However you choose to get rid of your leaves this fall, just remember to be careful and exercise a “safety first” mentality. For more tips on leaves and all things trees, please feel free to contact us today!