What is the best way to clean up leaves?
There’s a moment in fall when it becomes the most beautiful season of the year. The leaves turn from cool greens to vibrant yellows, oranges and reds, repainting the canopy to create a colorful world of wonder.
Then those leaves fall from the trees and the nightmare task of cleaning up begins. For many, this means an abundance of blisters and sore back muscles that result from raking and bagging.
But that is only one way to get the job done. There are several strategies available for fall leaf cleanup.
What do you do with all of those leaves?
Before you even begin your fall leaf cleanup, you need to decide on a strategy: What are you going to do with all of those leaves?
Can leaves be put out with the trash?
The rules for leaf collection vary from municipality to municipality. Typically, there is a set time of year when green waste (leaves, grass clippings and other plant materials) is collected. Additionally, the process may be different as well — collection might occur on a different day or require certain preparations such as being placed in bags that are tied and weigh less than 50 pounds. If you plan on having your green waste collected, check with your local municipality to learn what you need to do.
Can you leave leaves in your yard?
Decomposing leaves provide much-needed nutrients for your yard. However, whole leaves will form a barrier that blocks the sunlight and keeps water from reaching the lawn and plant roots below. This will restrict the nutrients from entering the plants and cause your grass to eventually die. If you want to leave leaves on your lawn, make sure they are mulched.
Can leaves go in a compost pile?
You can definitely add leaves to your compost pile. In general, it can take a year or longer for whole leaves to break down. If you would like to speed up the process, mulch your leaves first and be sure to turn the pile over every two to four weeks. If you do this, your leaves will decompose in roughly three to six months.
How to clean up leaves
When it comes to fall cleanup, there are five basic steps needed to get the job done.
Clear larger debris and prepare for cleanup. Before cleaning up your leaves, you’ll want to remove all larger debris such as sticks, branches and rocks before beginning to clean up. Not only may larger debris cause a problem with equipment that is only designed for leaves, but it could also create a safety hazard. Also, if you are planning on using a sweeper or a leaf blower, this is the time when you should secure smaller objects such as flowerpots and lawn ornaments that may get damaged by the high air power of a leaf blower.
Clear the higher leaves first. Start the cleanup by removing leaves from the roof and in the rain gutters first — you don’t want to dump a pile of gutter leaves on your freshly cleaned lawn.
Move all leaves into manageable piles. If you will be collecting and bagging your leaves, sweep or blow them into piles so they can be easily bagged. Don’t forget to get the leaves in troublesome places like under your deck or between the fence and the house.
Bag leaves for transport. At this point, you want to pick up your leaf piles and put them into leaf bags so you can put them out on the curb for collection. If you will be using your leaves in your garden or placing them in a compost heap, you should mulch the leaves before bagging.
Take the bagged leaves to the curb for collection. Alternatively, you can place the leaves in your compost heap or redistribute them to places on your property that would benefit from a little mulch.
Tips for leaf cleanup
Don’t forget the leaves that are up on the roof, in the gutter or in the rain spout.
Wet leaves may be too heavy for sweepers and certain leaf blowers. Additionally, wet leaves may clog a leaf vacuum.
Trying to clean up leaves on a windy day can be futile.
Do not forget to wear proper safety gear while cleaning up leaves. This includes a dust mask, safety goggles, work gloves, and hearing protection.
Tools you will need for leaf cleanup
Best tools for moving leaves
Gardenite Adjustable Garden Leaf Rake: available at Amazon
When fully opened, this adjustable leaf rake is 22 inches wide. However, if you need to clear out tighter areas, the tines can be compressed down to 7 inches, making it a good fit for all your leaf-raking needs.
Husqvarna Gas Backpack Blower: available at Amazon
If you need a powerful leaf blower that can tackle the toughest jobs and the largest yards, this Husqvarna model is the leaf blower you want. This gasoline-powered unit has an air purge for easier starting and cruise control for better handling.
Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless Leaf Blower: available at Amazon
For individuals who prefer a leaf blower that is kinder to the environment, this Greenworks model can run up to 70 minutes on low and 12 minutes on high. It has a quieter operation when compared to a gas-powered model and it features a top wind speed of 125 mph.
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Sweeper: available at Amazon
Leaves that gather on hard surfaces such as a patio or a walkway require a different tool than leaves that accumulate in the grass. This BLACK+DECKER cordless sweeper is manufactured specifically for that task. It has a lightweight design and can reach an airspeed of up to 130 mph.
Best tools for mulching leaves
WORX Electric Leaf Mulcher: available at Amazon
This standalone electric leaf mulcher is a bladeless model that uses a trimmer string to shred leaves. It features a wide mouth for easy feeding, and the mulched leaves are dispensed directly into a yard waste bag for convenience. This model has an 11:1 mulching ratio.
Husqvarna Gas-Powered Leaf Blower/Vacuum: available at Amazon
This gas-powered leaf blower can convert into a vacuum that also has a mulching feature. The engine has been designed so the unit starts easily and the cruise control offers effortless operation. The machine has a 16:1 mulching ratio.
WORX TRIVAC 3-In-1 Electric Blower/Vacuum/Mulcher: available at Amazon
This multifunctional corded tool by WORX is a leaf blower, a leaf vacuum and a mulcher. With just a flip of the switch, you can turn the blower into a vacuum that sucks up, mulches and bags leaves in one streamlined process. Weighs only 9.5 pounds and features a 16:1 mulching ratio.
Honda Self-Propelled Gas Mower: available at Home Depot
Another way to take care of your leaf cleanup is to simply use a lawn mower with a mulching feature to shred the leaves down to a size that is better suited for nourishing your lawn. This gas-powered option from Honda uses a twin-blade system to accomplish that task. You can also bag the leaves and use them in your garden.
Greenworks 40V Self-Propelled Mower: available at Amazon
If you’d prefer a battery-powered mower, this model from Greenworks also has a mulching or bagging option that allows you to efficiently dispense with your fallen leaves. The battery has a maximum run time of up to 60 minutes and offers quieter operation than a gas-powered model.
Best tools for collecting leaves
Heavy Duty Tarp/Leaf Bag: available at Amazon
If you’d like a rugged, reusable option, this heavy-duty tarp is a solid choice. Lay the tarp on the lawn, blow or rake leaves into the center and use the hook-and-loop edge to turn the tarp into a heavy-duty canvas bag for toting leaves to your green bin or compost pile.
Home Depot Lawn and Leaf Bags: available at Home Depot
These biodegradable paper leaf bags are a better option than single-use plastic. They are designed to stand on their own once fully opened for easy filling.
Hefty Ultra Strong Lawn and Leaf Bags: available at Amazon
While it’s best to avoid single-use plastic bags, if you have no other option for putting leaves at the curb for pickup, these are tear-resistant and puncture-resistant and feature a tough drawstring for secure closure.
Allen Foster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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