Landscape Leaf Removal

Mulching Leaves

• Mulching the leaves into small pieces and letting them lie where they fall is appealing to many people. Specially designed lawnmowers recirculate the leaves under the mower canopy and chop them very fine. The advantages are that the nutrients in the leaves stay with the yard and are recycled back into the soil. It also gives soil much of the organic material to keep vital microorganisms thriving and to hold water longer.

Vacuuming Leaves

• Large vacuum attachments for yard tractors make leaf cleanup easier. The homeowner merely rides over the leaves and the vacuum does all the work. The leaves are deposited into a large retaining bag which needs to be emptied when full. Push-behind models are available for smaller yards. Both models also shred the leaves as they pick them up, which reduces considerably the amount of storage space the leaves need.

New Tools

• New tools and ideas are giving leaf-rakers a break. Collection bags hold more leaves and are easier to move around, rakes are designed not to clog and operate both backward and forward, and giant plastic claws that look something like dinosaur hands give the ability to scoop up large amounts of leaves at once. Leaf blowers are getting stronger, quieter and lighter, and are able to switch from blower to vacuum with a flip of a switch.

Composting and Mulching

• The continuing push for a greener lifestyle is leading many homeowners to compost their leaves or use them for mulch. Autumn leaves spread over flowerbeds protect plant roots from winter damage by insulating the soil. They also keep harsh rainfall from compacting the soil and making it crusty. Leaves mixed with kitchen wastes and other sources of nitrogen in the fall can be ready to put on the garden as compost as early as May or June.