Most of us enjoy the beauty of fall, with its warm, rich days that surround us in those glorious bursts of color. But after the last of the leaves have fluttered from the trees, autumn also presents us with that carpet of crumbling, brown and orange debris which must be dealt with before the first snows of winter descend.
Helpful Raking Tips
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a leaf blower in the garage, there’s only one sure way to deal with the blanket of leaves in the yard. Raking today is pretty much the same as it was in your grandparent’s day, and their parents' for that matter, and for a good many years back. While each year may produce new gadgets and inventions for taking the work out of raking, so far there’s still no proven, better way to take care of those autumn leaves.
While raking can be difficult and time consuming work, here are some tips to help you make the most of the effort you put in.
- Use a good, sturdy rake, one with wide tines that will bend slightly, under pressure. This will help you make the most of each and every sweep.
- Speaking of sweeps, short ones are better than long ones, in order to gather, and hold onto, the greatest amount of leaves in a single motion.
- Remember to check the wind direction before you start to rake, and always begin down-wind, or you’ll wind up re-raking the same area more than once.
- If you have a very large yard it may also be helpful to map out a grid, tackling one section at a time, until the job is complete.
- Raking the leaves into small piles, and then raking small piles into larger ones, is another tried and tested method of taking care of the build-up.
What to Do with the Debris
Once you have piles, there’s still the question of what to do with all those leaves. New codes and ordinances often prohibit the disposal of natural debris, such as leaves, in the normal trash collection process. Most cities also have fire codes, which regulate the burning of leaves, and/or require a permit to do so. While these laws are in place to protect both people and environment, they aren’t much help to the homeowner, when trying to decide how to dispose of those leaves.
- Many cities offer a lawn and leaf pick-up during the later months of autumn. Consider calling your local township or city officials, to find out if and when such a pick up is available in your area.
- Composting can be a great way to put those dried leaves to good use. Whether you decide to start your own compost pile, or to participate in a Community Compost, this is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of autumn debris.
Hopefully these tips and disposal ideas will make the chore of raking leaves a bit more manageable for you. Happy raking!
Denise Oliveri - Denise has been writing for Suite101 for many years, and enjoys sharing her experiences and knowledge with readers. Her main occupation at ...
