The colored leaves are picturesque and beautiful on the trees, but their charm vanishes when they pile up in the yard. Getting rid of them is a job that can leave your arms sore and your back aching. Here are a few techniques that can help you avoid that fate:
* Remove them the traditional way: Rake, but do it right. Start in the afternoon when leaves are dry and light. Instead of pressing on the rake, rake lightly, barely touching the grass. Pull softly toward yourself so your shoulders don't get sore.
Designate several target pile spots. Start from the farthest point and work toward the pile, pulling gently.
When leaves are falling fast, rake every few days instead of waiting until they accumulate.
* Mulch them with the lawn mower or garden tractor. Before they get too deep, go over them a couple of times. The mulched leaves fall on the grass and turn into fertilizer.
* Use a leaf blower to clear them out of garden spots and from around fences. Between raking or mulching, you can use the blower to push leaves off of the sidewalks.
* Use a leaf vacuum. You can find these devices at a variety of price points from about $100 for small hand-held models to more than $1,500 for walk- or tow-behind models.
The larger the leaf problem and space you have to clear, the more money you'll have to spend to achieve your desired results.
For small areas, the lowest price vacs will work, especially in places that are hard to rake. Be prepared to carry the device, which can be somewhat heavy.