My backyard is lined with tall red oak trees along the creek. In fall I spend quite a bit of time taking care of those leaves. To me, it’s an enjoyable job but I have learned a few shortcuts along the way.
So when should you start to rake your leaves?
As long as the grass continues to grow, you can continue to mow your lawn. This will mulch the first falling leaves of the season. I take this lawn mulching and add to the compost bin or cover a garden if its retired for the season. Once the lawn has ceased growing, it is the right time to begin raking.
Tip: If you don’t have a lawn sweeper, rake the leaves onto an old sheet and pull the sheet to the compost pile. It’s easier than loading and unloading a wheelbarrow or garden cart.
Where to rake
There are some people who leave leaves that fall and collect under trees and shrubs where they are to compost by themselves. If you have a more natural look in the backyard this is an easy alternative. The leaves will break down into mulch on their own and benefit the soil and plants.
Open areas of lawn however will need to be raked. A thick carpet of leaves can kill a lawn or create bare spots because they do take so long to break down. They also will block the sunlight the grass needs to grow in the spring so the grass will get a tattered look and may even get a disease.
Make sure that you rake the areas where the leaves blow and gather into deep piles such as along the foundation of your home, ditches, pathways or fences and gates.
The proper rake
There are certain rakes that will do a better job or that are easier to use. The old-fashioned rakes often will get clogged at the ends. This means you take time out of raking to clean out the tines. I have also stuck myself a few times when in a rush cleaning tines. I didn’t cut myself but it didn’t feel good.
Newer rakes are available with variations in the design of tines. This makes them less likely to clog as often. A thicker handle will help to decrease the fatigue to your hand. Also make sure the handle has no cracks or areas that can sliver and cause an injury.
Rakes with comfort grips will prevent hand-slippage and reduce blisters. As will a good pair of garden gloves.
And if you have back trouble or just want to reduce muscle strain, an ergonomically designed rake may be the right choice for you. Almost all garden centers and farm supply stores carry tools designed to ease back and muscle strain.
How often should you Rake?
It’s not necessary to rake every time the wind blows a few leaves from the trees to your lawn. However, it is not wise to wait until the leaves have piled up too deep. In my backyard near the oak trees I have a heavy leave fall so I rake about twice a week during the heavy leaf fall. A normal yard raking could be raked somewhere between 3 and 5 times, depending on the size of your lawn. Just remember to spread the work out over a few weeks to make it more enjoyable. Really raking leaves can be a relaxing backyard task.
Fall is my favorite time of the year. I like the feel in the air and the abundant colors in NW Pa. And if I take care of the leaves in stages it’s a fun, relaxing task that benefits my compost pile and next year’s gardens.
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