How to rake your fall leaves

The leaves are turning into their beautiful fall colors – yellows, oranges, and reds here in the Pacific Northwest. And they’re falling, falling, falling.

A friend of mine waits until all his leaves have fallen to rake them. He insists it’s the best way to do it. 

That doesn’t work for me. I like to rake leaves as they fall, when they’re nice and fluffy. Also, it’s often warmer outside if you start earlier.

I have bad memories raking thick mats of leaves, in the cold and in the dark.

Which method is best?

Leaves left on your lawn can smother your grass. Learn2Grow says leaves should be removed or mulched – finely chopped – regularly throughout fall to avoid lawn damage. And it adds:

Fallen leaves create a barrier over the lawn. This leaf mat traps moisture, inhibits sunlight, and harbors insects and diseases that can kill patches of even the healthiest grass.

Leaves also can be slippery on sidewalks and driveways, and moss – also slick – can grow under them.

So, happy raking.

We’re having great sunny weather here. I raked some leaves, but need to do more so that I don’t experience that cold, wet nightmarish leaf racking experience.

Copyright 2008, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist