A yard covered in fallen leaves can turn into a weekend-long chore, especially if you’re facing a large lawn. A rake works, but it isn’t your only option. Depending on the size of your yard and the tools you already have, you can clear leaves with less bending, lifting, and back-and-forth work.
Here are some practical ways to deal with fallen leaves without spending hours with a rake.
Blow Them Away With a Leaf Blower-Vacuum
A leaf blower-vacuum combo can handle two jobs in one. Start by blowing the leaves into manageable piles, then switch to vacuum mode to pick them up.
Many models also shred the leaves as they collect them, reducing their volume and giving you material that can go into a compost pile or garden bed. A blower-vac is especially handy around flower beds, fences, and other spots where a mower may not fit.
Related: 15 Ways Retirees Are Dramatically Lowering Their Monthly Expenses
Mow Them Into Mulch
Your lawn mower can do more than cut grass during the fall. If the layer of leaves isn’t too thick, running the mower over them can chop them into small pieces that settle into the lawn.
Those tiny pieces break down over time and return organic matter to the soil. During periods of heavy leaf drop, mowing once a week can keep the buildup from getting out of hand.
Check your mower’s instructions before using it for leaf mulching, and avoid leaving a thick layer of shredded leaves on the grass.
Pull Them Away With a Tarp
A large tarp can make moving a pile of leaves much easier. Spread the tarp on the ground, gather the leaves onto it, and pull the tarp to your compost area, collection spot, or other disposal location.
This works especially well for larger yards where carrying bags back and forth would take ages. A second person can also make the job easier by helping pull the tarp.
Sweep Them With a Push Broom
A wide push broom can be surprisingly useful for clearing leaves from driveways, patios, porches, and walkways.
The broad head covers plenty of ground with each pass, and the stiff bristles can move leaves across hard surfaces without much effort. Sweep everything into a pile, then scoop the leaves into bags or a yard-waste container.
Related: 10 Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Look More Inviting
Push Leaves With Cardboard
Don’t have a blower? A sturdy piece of cardboard can work as a basic leaf pusher.
Hold the cardboard at an angle and push it across the ground, much like a small snowplow. It works best on flat surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios.
It’s a free trick that can come in handy when you only have a small area to clear.
Try Leaf Claws
Leaf claws are large hand-held scoops that fit over your hands and make it easier to pick up big piles of leaves.
Instead of bending down and grabbing handful after handful, you can use the scoops to collect a much larger amount at once. They can be particularly useful after you’ve already gathered leaves into several piles.
Use a Lawn Sweeper
A lawn sweeper can make short work of leaves on a larger property. Many models can be pulled behind a riding mower or lawn tractor, using rotating brushes to sweep leaves into a collection hopper.
Once the hopper is full, empty it at your compost pile or yard-waste collection area. For homeowners with large lawns, a lawn sweeper can save plenty of time and physical effort.
Related: 12 Clever Ways to Clean Stubborn Pet Hair from Furniture
Try a Walk-Behind Lawn Vacuum
A walk-behind lawn vacuum is another option for large properties. These machines are built to pick up leaves and other lawn debris as you move across the yard.
Some models also shred the material before collecting it, which means you can gather, mulch, and bag the leaves in one pass. They’re more expensive than basic yard tools, but they can be useful if you’re dealing with heavy leaf fall every year.
Mulch Leaves Where They Fall
You don’t always have to remove every leaf from your lawn. If the layer is light enough, you can run a mower over it and leave the shredded pieces in place.
The small bits can break down and add organic material to the soil. The main thing is to avoid allowing whole leaves or a thick layer of shredded material to cover the grass for long periods.
Leave Some Leaves Behind
A completely leaf-free yard isn’t always necessary. Leaving a thin layer of leaves in selected areas can provide shelter for insects and other small wildlife during colder months. Leaf litter also breaks down naturally and adds organic material to the soil.
You can clear the lawn and frequently used areas while leaving some leaves under trees, shrubs, or in a designated corner of the yard.
Bonus: Hire a Leaf Removal Service
If none of these options sounds appealing, hiring someone to handle the cleanup may be the easiest choice.
A leaf removal service can clear the yard, collect the debris, and haul it away for you. It costs more than doing the work yourself, but for a large property or a particularly heavy fall cleanup, paying someone else can save an entire weekend of work.
