Rake Those Leaves

The summer is ending and autumn is on the way. Days get shorter and this gives the trees the information needed to begin getting ready for winter. Now is the time to enjoy all the beautiful leaves dressed in reds, oranges and browns. Trees turn off their food making factories, which means the chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. The residue of waste or glucose in the leaf is what makes the difference in colors.

You enjoyed the brilliant show put on by the trees and now they have turned brown and are in your yard. This can be overwhelming or can become a fun and playful family chore. A classic 20 to 30 inch metal tined rake is one of the best items to use. Try to rake while the leaves are dry. Wet leaves are harder to rake and are much heavier, making the removal more difficult. There are many available methods of removing leaves other than just raking. Mulching your lawn more can make the chore easier and helps to fertilize your lawn at the same time. A leaf vacuum might be a good investment for you if you have a large yard. A combination leaf vacuum/mulcher is the ideal way to clear the leaves as the leaves get blown into the utility bag and then sent through the mulcher. This will provide you with the mulch you need to put around the tree roots.

Anyone raking leaves should be aware if the fact that bugs and even snakes could be hiding or keeping warm in the leaves. Always wear boots and gloves when doing your fall yard work.