Leaf management

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Okay, there are now a ton of them, and a great deal more still hanging onto the trees. My yard guy raked/mulched last week and two days later it was like he hadn't even touched it.

So I have questions:

Do I want a leaf blower for any reason or will just a rake do?

Can I burn the leaves? Where do I get a burn barrel and what are the restrictions on burning?

The leaves that are collecting in my flower beds: can I just leave (haha) them there or should I clean them out?
 
Okay, there are now a ton of them, and a great deal more still hanging onto the trees. My yard guy raked/mulched last week and two days later it was like he hadn't even touched it.

So I have questions:

Do I want a leaf blower for any reason or will just a rake do?

Can I burn the leaves? Where do I get a burn barrel and what are the restrictions on burning?

The leaves that are collecting in my flower beds: can I just leave (haha) them there or should I clean them out?

And it's just beginning.:lmao:
A leaf blower is great for flower beds and other places it's hard to rake. There was a thread on burn barrels a while back http://forums.somd.com/life-southern-maryland/113807-burning-barrel.html , but most people just rake them into a pile where it's safe to burn. A lot of folks will bag them and take them to the dump. I pile mine out in the woods after picking them up with my riding mower.
 
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BS Gal

Voted Nicest in 08
Dump them over the fence into the school yard. The BOE people will get them up. YVW
 

Sharon

* * * * * * * * *
Staff member
PREMO Member
Set your mulching mower as low as possible (run them over) and they disappear.
 

SeaRide

......
Okay, there are now a ton of them, and a great deal more still hanging onto the trees. My yard guy raked/mulched last week and two days later it was like he hadn't even touched it.

So I have questions:

Do I want a leaf blower for any reason or will just a rake do?

I use rake when the leaves are wet and thick. I use the leaf blower when the leaves are nice dry fluffy and ready to be blown away. When the leaves are piled up .. it's quicker to use the rake and push it than leaf blower taking a while to blow it all in the direction you desire (skills need for this).

Can I burn the leaves? Where do I get a burn barrel and what are the restrictions on burning?

Any metal trash can will do. Punch some holes in it for it to burn faster. I have seen a tall metal trash can with holes at one of the hardware store I forget which one.

I am from Calvert so you will have to check with the local restrictions stuff about burning. Remember that we haven't had much rain so .. be careful.

Another tip: Speak of the weather.. When the low pressure comes in or are already here, don't burn the leaves. The smoke wouldn't rise much and would just hang so low .. which translate smoky shiatty all around your hometown.

Also, do not burn on a very windy day (flying embers aint no fun to chase after).. little breeze is okay. Just be sure you got it all under control.

The leaves that are collecting in my flower beds: can I just leave (haha) them there or should I clean them out?

I guess mulch some leaves and leave them in the flower bed but not too thick. Wait till all the leaves come off the trees then you can mulch certain amount of leaves and put them in the flower bed.

I will be raking leaves twice a week until who knows when instead of cutting the grass once a week. PITA I tell ya.
 
Okay, there are now a ton of them, and a great deal more still hanging onto the trees. My yard guy raked/mulched last week and two days later it was like he hadn't even touched it.

So I have questions:

Do I want a leaf blower for any reason or will just a rake do?

Can I burn the leaves? Where do I get a burn barrel and what are the restrictions on burning?

The leaves that are collecting in my flower beds: can I just leave (haha) them there or should I clean them out?
You can get a leaf blower (get a gas one, not electric) and after blowing them into a pile, switch it to vacuum mode and it will suck up the leaves into an attached bag. Then you dump that into a mulch pile and next spring/summer you have nice rich topsoil. I would be happy to loan you mine.

Also, I have an electric leaf mulcher you can use. It stands and you dump the leaves in it and it chops them into little pieces. You can even hook a trash bag to it to bag them while mulching them. This is the leaf mulcher I have.

I use mulched leaves to bed down my trees and flowerbeds for the winter and I dump the rest in my garden and compost bins (I have 3 spread around the property).
 

Vince

......
Lawn tractor takes care of the leaves, but those dayum acorns suck. I've raked 7 wheel barrow loads from under one tree so far. That tree is getting trimmed this year.
 

Trunk Monkey

Defender of the Blonde
I guess I know what I will be doing the rest of the week. :ohwell: Might I suggest we wait until they all fall off then do it all at once?
 

vraiblonde

Board Mommy
PREMO Member
Patron
Might I suggest we wait until they all fall off then do it all at once?

No because then it will be one HUGE job instead of a bunch of smaller jobs. Plus, raking is good exercise and you could stand to lose a pound or two because of all that banana poundcake and Dr. Pepper you've been scarfing.
 

Trunk Monkey

Defender of the Blonde
No because then it will be one HUGE job instead of a bunch of smaller jobs. Plus, raking is good exercise and you could stand to lose a pound or two because of all that banana poundcake and Dr. Pepper you've been scarfing.

Oh no you didn't call me fat.

What do you care? Like it's a big job sitting on the deck drinking beer, smoking and yelling "You missed some leaves over by the shed" :blahblah:.

I want another Dr. Pepper.
 

mAlice

professional daydreamer
Leaf management 10-23-2007 12:05 PM ewww, you are such a hillbilly redneck
Leaf management 10-23-2007 11:47 AM but you're still plenty ugly
Unreliable bus 10-22-2007 10:57 AM Go away Freak!

Look! It's my fan club! :diva:

I've missed you! :love: :kiss: :huggy:
 
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