Getting rid of leaves

As fall moves in, it brings crisp temperatures, bonfire weather and leaves changing to beautiful colors. When the trees lose their cover, the result on the ground can be a nightmare to adults but a wonderland for kids.
If you have many trees on your property, your once-luscious lawn will soon be replaced with leaves littering your yard. Leaf removal can be a chore for many yards in the country, luckily there are tools available to make the job easier.
Build Your Leaf-Removal ArsenalFor many yards, a traditional rake just isn’t enough to efficiently eliminate the leaves that fall. Consider equipping yourself with these helpful tools to make the process easier.

Leaf blower: This self-explanatory tool allows operators to blow leaves into a certain area on their property. They make quick work of problem areas. You can find these tools in battery-, gas- or electric-powered options.

Lawn mower: A quality lawn mower is still useful even after the grass stops growing. Consider adding a mulch bag to your mower to quickly collect fallen leaves.

Tarp: Once you have the leaves in a neat pile, then what? If you position them on a tarp while you make your pile, you can easily bundle them up and dispose of them responsibly.
Safe BurningFor some, using leaves as compost is a fall tradition. They are packed with nutrients that other plants rely on to flourish. You can add grass trimmings, organic manure and surprisingly, dryer lint into this pile.

For many others, the preferred method of disposing leaves is to burn them. When starting a fire, follow these safety tips from the American Red Cross:

Clear leaves away from the home and other buildings and only burn in accordance to your local laws and guidelines.

Be prepared for a fire to get out of control. You should always keep an extinguisher, rake, ax and bucket available when burning leaves.

Install smoke alarms on every level and in every room of your home. In case a fire spreads to your structure without warning, your loved ones inside will be alerted.
For the KidsFor kids, there isn’t a better part to fall than collapsing in a giant pile of leaves. Before disposing of them, allow the little ones to play for a while. You can even find fun-themed garbage bags which resemble silly characters once filled. This is a great way to provide the kiddos with entertainment while getting a little help clearing the leaves.