How to Rake Leaves Quickly and Efficiently

Are you dreading leaf raking this autumn? Leaf raking are one of those jobs that people either really love or really hate. My kids hate it. I happen to enjoy it because it's a great exercise and gets me outdoors in that gorgeous fall weather.

For those who dislike leaf raking, you'll be happy to know that there is a way that leaf raking can be accomplished quickly and efficiently. Here's how it's done:

1. Use the right tools for the job.

Rakes come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. For raking up leaves, you need something called a "leaf rake". A leaf rake is fan shaped and designed to scoop up large piles of leaves without grabbing at the grass in the process. Other tools you'll need to rake up leaves include a pair of gloves to prevent blisters and a 12 x 12 vinyl tarp.

2. Pick a dry day to rake.

Dry leaves weigh significantly less than wet leaves which is why raking in the rain is a job best avoided. A dry afternoon seems to be the best time to rake; by then the morning moisture has evaporated out of the leaves and they are less inclined to stick to the grass.

3. Rake into lots of small piles instead of one or two huge piles.

It's a huge waste of effort to drag leaves across a yard so they can be put on a single pile. A faster method is to make a bunch of little piles that are spaced about 12 feet apart. The technique I use is to move in a small circle, pulling about 6 feet of leaves to the center of the pile with every step. This technique takes about 2-3 minutes per pile and seems to be the most efficient method of raking up leaves that I've found.

4. Rake the piles onto the tarp so they can easily be moved.

Once the leaves have been piled up they can be raked onto the tarp one pile at a time, and dragged over to the compost pile or an area where they can be bagged at leisure. Moving the leaves onto the tarp for transport is a huge time saver, and gets those leaves off the grass quickly.

5. Start a compost pile

Tossing leaves onto a compost pile really is the most efficient method of getting rid of leaves. Composting saves time by not having to bag up the leaves, plus saves money in that you don't have to pay for disposal, and keeps that great organic material out of the landfill. If you don't like the look of composting leaves in the corner of the yard, other locations where the leaves can be dumped include
* your vegetable garden
* along the alley
* in a hidden spot behind a fence, your garage, or shed
* beneath a stand of trees

Come spring, you'll discover that all those leaves will have compacted less than an inch in height, and can be easily turned into your vegetable garden or flower beds for a boost of nutrition.