Make Fall Cleanup Easier By Ditching The Rake For A Less Traditional Method

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If you've been worried about dealing with a yard full of fallen leaves and you don't want to spend hours with a rake and a landscaping bag trying to wrangle them all, then relief is in sight. There's an easier way. Try clearing the yard this fall with a leaf mulcher or even a leaf vacuum.

It's an unconventional method for tackling fall cleanup this year, but it could save you lots of time and effort. One handy tool to consider is the Black and Decker 3-in-1 leaf vacuum, which can be used like a traditional leaf blower — but also has a vacuum setting that sucks in leaves, slices them into pieces, and dumps them into a reusable bag that you wear on your back. It's a lot like vacuuming your living room, except now you're making instant leaf mulch.

It's especially important to dice up tougher kinds of leaves that have a harder time breaking down on their own, like the fallen foliage from cottonwood and oak. Once shredded, you can make oak leaf compost and put it to work in your yard right away. These leaf bits can warm and protect plants in the winter, but they also cover bare spots and thwart weeds looking for a chance to try to sprout. Repurposing leaf waste also saves space in landfills, so consider it a win-win.

There are many varieties of leaf mulchers or leaf vacuums –some you can wear and some that are freestanding. If you don't care about the vacuuming part, you can simply use a stationary mulcher. For those looking to vacuum their lawns, you'll need to consider if you want your new tool to be gas-powered or electric. Gas versions are more powerful for bigger jobs, but if you want a quieter type, then go for battery-powered ones. Either option will give you effective equipment to pick up leaves in your yard.

You can also turn your lawn mower into a leaf mulcher. Some come with attachments or special blades, so check with your brand for potential options. If you don't have an alteration kit, you can try to "mulch" your lawn by adjusting the mower blade to the highest setting and mowing over the leaves. After trying this method, you might even decide that mowing leaves is better than raking.

For best results, use the leaf vacuum on a dry fall day. Wet leaves are heavy and hard to pick up. Matted, wet gunk can easily jam up your garden equipment.  Before getting started, remove any large twigs or anything else that might damage your mulcher. If the engine slows down and gets overtaxed, empty the bag and inspect the vacuum tube for any clogs. And, as always, wear safety goggles and gloves to protect yourself from injury. Always follow all instructions in the owner's manual when using lawn equipment.