On Sun, 1 Nov 2020 07:16:03 -0800 (PST), J posted for all of us to digest...


Hey folks,

I loved all your advice on my previous "leaf blower engine seized" thread. But now that I have a new leaf blower, I really need to know the best way to clear my "yard".

It's far from rectangular, but can be approximated by a 100'x200' rectangle with about 4 big deciduous trees in it, but also bordered on all sides (other than our house) by woods. Needless to say, it definitely gets lots of leaves. It's also far from flat, with what we lovingly call "the grassy knoll" on one side, and definitely sloping downward on the other end - but not a huge slope, and softly undulating, not a constant grade. It generally slopes along the long
axis, so always blowing leaves in that direction is not the best option.

My goal is to just blow the leaves into the woods to decompose. Here's the thing though, if I try to keep a line of leaves that I slowly push toward the edges, before I get halfway I've accumulated enough leaves that pushing the pile any further gets slower and more difficult (especially if there's any dampness to the leaves, which there pretty much always is here in the fall). However, if I try to just blow a small patch for any significant distance, most of the
leaves end up being blown off to the side. Trying to blow small patches and keep the leaves contained, takes a lot of walking around from side to side, and a lot of time. Also, if there's a little wind (generally in the wrong direction), it makes all these scenarios worse.

I end up using a mixture of strategies, but often I feel it would be faster (though much more physical effort) with a rake.

So, how should I be attacking this problem with a leaf blower?

Also, should I stack wood bark-side up or bark-side down? Don't answer, that's a joke. But like that question, I have a feeling there may be strong opinions on the right way and the wrong way to blow leaves. ;-)

Thanks.

-J

I had this problem for 20 years. I never found a good way. My "yard" is like
yours. I now have the 'landscapers' do it. Leaves into the woods is a good
thing. They decompose and provide good soil over a period of time.

My neighbor used to blow them on tarps and drag the tarps where he wanted the
leaves. It was effective but labor intensive.

Good luck with your plan.

--
Tekkie