* Mow and mulch. If leaves aren't too deep, mow with a mulching lawn mower and leave them on the grass.
* Use a leaf blower. It will work very well on smaller lawns.
* Or you could rake your leaves. Occupational therapists recommend buying a rake with an ergonomic curved handle.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons suggests wearing gloves to prevent blisters, and bending at the knees rather than the waist. Avoid twisting motions while raking and take extra care when leaves are wet and slippery. Don't do too much at one time.
To bag leaves, rake the stack onto an old sheet or a tarp, then dump the stack into a leaf bag.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
