When to Use a Leaf Blower

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

01 Nov 2007 10:51 AM

Wondering if you should purchase and use a leaf blower this year? Leaf blowers can be a great time and labor saver when it comes to cleaning up the leaves around your home. But there are times when using a leaf blower might not be the best decision. Other methods, such as mulching or raking can be better. Here are some tips that will help you maximize the payback from a leaf blower, including guidelines as to when and wear to use it.

The past few weeks have been leaf blower mania for me. What might have taken hours for clean up has been reduced to about 15 minutes of work. But, although the leaves have been falling for weeks, I only have be using the leave blower just recently. Previously, I had been sweeping leaves off of the driveway and porch, mulching leaves on the lawn with a mulching lawn mower, and raking leaves on the lawn.

When to use a leaf blower?

The leaf blower is ideal for blowing leaves off of a long driveway. I blow the leaves down the driveway into a pile. Then after the kids get their fill of jumping in them, I pick the leaves up.

The leaf blower also works well on dry leaves in wide spaces, so it is idea to use it on the front lawn, now that the grass has ceased growing much for the season and does not need to be cut.

The leaf blower is also wonderful to use to blow leaves off of the roof and other hard to reach or hard to rake areas.

When not to use a leaf blowers?

Leaf blowers are loud and could disturb the neighbors, so I won't use one in the morning or evening, especially on weekends.

A leaf blower won't work too well on wet leaves, although it will move them around somewhat, depending on the power of your leaf blower.

A leaf blower uses energy, so they aren't idea for small jobs that could just as easily be done manually with a rake or a brush.

A gas powered leaf blower is not environmentally friendly, so I don't recommend this type of unit. Purchase an electric leaf blower and a long, sturdy extension cord.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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