As winter quickly approaches, the idea of raking up the leaves from your yard can feel overwhelming. So before you work much harder than you need to, here are a few leaf-gathering tips worth your time.
Mulch Them With a Lawn Mower
Rather than raking up your leaves and then mowing your lawn, kill two birds with one stone and combine both. If your lawn mower has mulching capabilities, you can decrease the amount of time you’ll spend raking the leaves on your lawn.
Invest in a Leaf Blower
Yes, they can be loud – and the good ones can be expensive – but for some, a leaf blower can be a great investment. If you have a larger yard, especially with multiple large trees, a leaf blower can turn a massive task into a manageable one. If you have a smaller yard or just a few small trees, a leaf blower will save you time but may not be necessary.
Our Pick: Black+Decker 20V Max Cordless Sweeper With Power Boost ($98.99; shop here)
Wait for the Last Leaf to Fall
While you don’t have to wait until your trees are completely rid of their leaves, you should hold off as long as possible. If you wait until the trees are about bare before raking, you’re not duplicating your effort and can knock the chore all out in one rather than multiple times over.
Invest in a Leaf Tarp
If you have a lot of ground to cover, a leaf tarp is a great way to collect your leaves without having to continually move back and forth across your yard. Instead, simply rake the leaves in a single area onto the tarp, then drag it to your desired end location. There are several types of tarps available, so shop according to your needs.
Our Pick: EZ Lawn and Garden Leaf Hauler Sport ($48.44, shop here)
Invest in a Leaf Grabber
A leaf grabber takes the benefits of a rake and combines them into an easy-to-use, less labor-intensive tool that allows you to pick up large amounts of leaves and place them onto a tarp. Ideally, you want one with longer handles (as opposed to a handheld one) that doesn’t require you to bend over repeatedly, which can leave your back aching.
Our Pick: Amazing Rake Back-Saving Garden Rake ($39.95, shop here)
Gathering the leaves around your yard is a chore. But before you drag out that rake and get to work, keep these tips in mind to make sure you’re working smarter, not harder.