Mowing leaves instead of raking, these are the best methods. Leaf rake for mower

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Mowing leaves instead of raking, these are the best methods

Fall has started, the days are getting shorter, and you see hundreds, maybe thousands of leaves scattered across your lawn. With the leaves, the long and tiring battle of raking them from your yard has started. But you heard somewhere that leaves could be mowed off your lawn as well. You have a lawnmower, so why not use it. But can you use it to remove your leaves? In this article, we will look at different methods of mowing leaves, and we are going to look at which way is the best for removing the leaves from your lawn.

Mowing leaves instead of raking, these are the best methods:

Mowing leaves with a lawnmower is an excellent option. There are two main methods. The first is to mulch the leaves and letting these mulched leaves decompose on your soil. For the best result, set your mower height to the maximum. When the amount of leaves is significant, this method is not advised. In that case, the second method is to bag the leaves. Use a special leaf bag.

Mowing leaves instead of raking

Removing leaves from your grass is a time-consuming task. But several methods can help to make your work more manageable, compared to raking. These include using a leaf blower, a leaf vacuum, and mowing leaves. If you have a lawnmower, mowing leaves is a great way to remove them from your lawn and has several advantages. We will compare the two main mowing leaves methods with raking leaves and see which method is the best for you.

The two main mowing leaves methods are:

Method 1: Mulching the leaves

Mulching leaves is an excellent way to remove the leaves from your lawn. As the leaves are mulched, they are spread over the grass. There they will decompose and protect and fertilize the grass.

– Pros:

• Fertilize: The mulched leaves that decompose on the grass will boost the quality of the soil.
• Takes less time: It is one of the fastest methods to remove leaves from your lawn. There is no bagging and transportation to dispose of them. And the lawnmower will have a smaller chance of cluttering.

– Cons:

• Too many leaves: When you have a considerable amount of leaves on your lawn, the amount of mulching can be too much. Too much mulch results in a significant layer on your lawn, and it will block the sun. And it can result in increased damage from fungal diseases.
• Pine needles: Mulching pine needles do not work well since the pine needles are too tiny to mulch. You’re mulching is essentially rendered useless and, you would still have to rake those off.

The following steps should be followed to mulch leaves successfully:

Step 1. Use a Mulch blade:

If possible, try to use a mulching blade. These blades are specially designed to cut grass and leaves into small pieces. On most mowers, you can exchange your current blade for a mulching blade.

Step 2. Remove the collection system:

If your lawnmower has a collection system, then it is necessary to remove this from the mower. If this is not possible, then consider method two as a possible method to mow your leaves. If possible, use a side discharge, as this is the shortest way out for the leaves. This decreases the chance of cluttering when the leaves are a little bit wet.

Step 3. Remove big branches:

Removing big branches is essential to keep your mower in good condition since branches can damage the blades and engine of a lawnmower.

Step 4. Set the deck to its highest setting:

Set the mowing deck to its highest setting. We are going to mow leaves, not the grass. If you also want to cut the grass, you can better do this after mowing the leaves.

Start mowing your lawn. Go around the yard repeatedly to mulch all the leaves.

Since too much mulch on your property can be bad for the plants, make sure to check your yard for possible spots with too much mulch. One-fourth to three-eights of an inch is too much. You should remove a bit of the mulch in those places and spread it elsewhere until the height is fine everywhere. If needed, you have to remove some from your lawn.

Method 2: Leaf bagging

With leaf bagging, you mow the leaves and remove them from your lawn. You use the collection system from your lawnmower to do this. If possible, try to use a special leave bag instead of the bag you use for grass. This bag is bigger and means less stopping to empty it.

• You prefer no mulch: You do not want mulch on your lawn since mulch does not look good in your yard.
• Too much mulch: You already have too much mulch decomposing on your lawn, and you need to collect the remaining amount of leaves.

– Pros:

• Fast: Collecting the leaves with your lawnmower is a quick and easy way to remove most of the leaves on your lawn. But it is not as easy and fast as mulching.
• Less bagging: You will not need the same amount of collection bags compared to raking. The leaves will be mulched, depending on the blades you use, and take up less space.

– Cons:

• Stopping to empty the collection bag: Stopping and getting the leaves from the mowers collection system to the proper collection bags can be a more frustrating task.
• Wet leaves: If the leaves are wet from the rain, mowing leaves and collecting them is not the best option. The leaves will stick to the lawnmower, and you will need to remove the leaves from the mower regularly. And getting the leaves from the mower collection system is even more annoying.

The following steps should be followed to mow leaves successfully using a collection bag:

Step 1. Use mulch blades: Using mulch blades will make mowing leaves easier since mowers’ standard blades are made to cut grass and not leaves. If you do not have mulch blades, it is not a big problem. It only means that the leaves will take up more space in your collection bag. And when you dispose of the laves somewhere else in your garden, it will take more time to decompose compared to mulched leaves.

Step 2. Add the collection system if it is not on the mower yet: Adding the collection is crucial since you do not want the mulched leaves spread around your yard.

Step 3. Remove branches from your yard: Removing branches from your lawn is necessary to keep your lawnmower running smoothly with no damage to the blades.

Step 4. Set the deck to its highest setting:

Set the mowing deck to its highest setting. We are going to mow leaves, not the grass. If you also want to cut the grass, you can better do this after mowing the leaves.

Step 5. Mow your lawn: Start mowing the lawn. Move the lawnmower around the yard repeatedly to mow the leaves and get them in the collection bag.

Step 6. Move the mulch and leaves to collection bags: If the collection bag is full of leaves, open it and move the leaves and mulch to a different location, yard bags, or garbage bags. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until your whole yard is clear from leaves.

Method 3: Raking

Raking is probably the most used method to collect fallen leaves from yards. You only need a rake, some bags to collect the leaves, and enough energy. As with the methods above, we will look at the pros and cons.

– Pros:

• Cheap: Raking is cheap. You only need a rake, bags, and energy to rake the leaves together. No need to pay for gas.
• Easy: Raking is very easy to execute and understand.
• Also when the leaves are wet: Raking can be done when the leaves are wet, and even in the rain.

– Cons:

• Time-consuming: It can take considerable time and effort.
• Dull: Raking is dull and a repetitive task, not something you want to do very often.
• Problematic for big yards: Raking big yards will take a long time and might not be worth the effort.

Which of the mowing leaves methods is best for you?

Mowing leaves instead of raking leaves. Both are suitable methods to remove leaves from your lawn. But which of these methods is the best solution for removing these excess leaves for you? And when should you use these methods. Raking is cheap and can be acceptable for smaller yards. You can remove the leaves even when they are wet or when it is raining, but it takes a lot of energy.

Mowing leaves has a significant advantage because it is much faster and does not need a lot of energy from you. If you leave the mulched leaves on your lawn, it can protect and fertilize them. And you already have a lawnmower anyway, so why not use it?

After comparing all the pros and cons of the previous methods, we can conclude that the best solution for you will depend on your situation. The bigger the yard, the more reason to mow. If you only have a small lawn, raking can be fine. If you choose to mow, mulching is easier and faster and has advantages for your grass.

Related questions

Is mowing leaves bad for grass?

• No. Mowing leaves is not bad for your grass. You mow leaves with the mowing deck on its highest settings, so the grass is not touched. And if you spread the mulch over your lawn, it helps protect it and fertilize it after it decomposes.

Can the bagged leaves be put into any use, or shall I dispose of them?

• Nutrients: Leaves are a great source of nutrients. The bagged leaves can be mulched and sprinkled over different parts of the lawn or your garden.
• Decomposing bin: However, if you want to dispose of them off, you can buy a decomposing bin and throw them inside the bin.
• Store them: You can also store them and use them later as a fertilizer for your lawn.

Do I really need to rake my leaves?

Most people rake their lawn because they believe that it is bad for the plants and grass underneath. But this is not the case. It is fine to leave them. Only when there is a big stack on top of the soil will it be difficult for the sun to reach the grass. And it can result in increased damage from fungal diseases.

How long does it take for mulched leaves to decompose?

It takes the leaves between 6 months to a year to fully decompose naturally on the ground. But this greatly depends on the size of the leaves and the amount. If you dump your leaves in a big pile, it can take a year. If you use a compost bin, it takes around 3 to 6 months for the leaves to decompose. If you mulch the leaves and spread them, they will decompose considerably faster.

Final remarks

Raking to get rid of excess leaves is always be a tedious and lengthy task, particularly if your yard is bigger. Using your lawnmower to mow leaves is much faster and easier. You can both mulch the leaves and spread them over your grass or use a collection bad to collect them. Mulching is the quickest method and has some additional benefits for your grass.

Should I Rake or Mulch My Leaves?

Colorful autumn leaves are one of fall’s greatest pleasures. But beautiful autumn color quickly translates to leaves on your lawn. When lush, healthy grass is your goal, ignoring fallen leaves isn’t an option. But that doesn’t mean raking and bagging leaves is the way. Mulching leaves into your lawn is easier — and better for your lawn and the environment. By understanding answers to the following questions, you can mulch your way to a healthier lawn:

Why can’t leaves just stay on the lawn?

Like all plants, your grass has basic requirements for keeping it lush and green. At the top of the list are sunlight, water, nutrients and oxygen. And a mat of fallen leaves interferes with them all. Think of it like growing grass in dense shade, only multiplied several times.

Without sunlight, your fall lawn can’t carry out photosynthesis and replenish reserves before winter comes. Water and nutrients can’t penetrate leaves to nurture and nourish grass roots. Plus, poor air circulation sets the stage for fungal lawn disease. Come spring, you’re faced with bare lawn spots and a weak, thin lawn. And because leaves keep soil colder in spring, you’ll wait longer for grass to turn green. 1 Fallen leaves don’t just disappear. Maple leaves break down faster, but oak and sycamore leaves can take more than a year to decompose. 2 By learning the best way to remove leaves from your yard — and doing it — you prevent your grass from suffering.

Left unmanaged, fallen leaves can smother grasses and encourage lawn disease.

Is mulching leaves better than raking?

Whether you mulch or bag leaves, removing leaves keeps them from smothering your lawn. But shredding leaves into tiny pieces by mulching them has benefits that raking and bagging don’t.

Tree leaves contain about 2% nitrogen. 1 To stay green, thick and healthy, your lawn grass needs nitrogen in a greater quantity than any other essential plant nutrient. That’s why the first number in the N-P-K on most lawn fertilizer labels is the largest.

By mulching leaves instead of raking, you treat your lawn to natural fertilizer and beneficial organic matter. Plus, mulching leaves into your lawn can discourage weed seeds from germinating and reduce common lawn weeds such as dandelions and crabgrass significantly. 1,3 In many cases, you can mulch leaves during regular lawn mowing. That means more free time for you.

Keep in mind that raking and toting leaf bags are strenuous aerobic activities, too. For some people, the cardiac health risks of raking and bagging leaves rank right up there with shoveling snow. 4

Mulching leaves into your lawn can help reduce unwanted weeds.

What equipment do I need to mulch leaves?

You can learn how to mulch leaves without investing in a lot of extra equipment. Mulching leaves with a regular lawn mower can get the job done. If you deal with large quantities of heavy leaves in a short time frame, a mulching mower for mowing leaves into your lawn may make sense.

A regular lawn mower cuts grass blades and shoots grass clippings out of the side or into a bag. Mowing leaves into lawn grass works the same way. Leaves must be mulched into small pieces that can filter down to soil, so a regular lawn mower may require a few trips back and forth. You can also purchase mulching blades for your regular mower. Depending on the amount of leaves you have to mulch, these specially designed mulching blades may decrease the number of passes you need to make across your lawn.

In contrast, a mulching mower keeps grass clippings — and leaves — under the mower deck. The blades cut clippings several times, so smaller pieces result. Mulching mowers help enhance your lawn’s sustainability during regular mowing, too. Mulching grass clippings into your lawn delivers an all-natural 4-1-2 fertilizer every time you mow. 5

Dedicated leaf mulchers come in push, pull and handheld options. They’re designed especially for shredding leaves, not cutting grass. Popular models include cordless mulchers that switch from leaf blowers into leaf vacuums that shred and collect mulched leaves for other uses.

Mulching mowers chop grass and leaves into small pieces.

How and when should I mulch leaves with a mower?

The best approach to mulching leaves with a mower is being proactive. Plan on mowing leaves instead of raking as part of your regular fall lawn maintenance. Start as soon as leaves begin to fall. Mowing a few leaves is simpler than mowing a lot, and dry leaves mulch better than wet ones. When mulching while mowing, use your regular mower height for mulching leaves.

As lawn mowing slows down and falling leaves speed up, mulch with your mower at least once a week — twice if needed. Use the highest mower height for mulching leaves. University research indicates you can mulch up to 6 inches of leaves on your lawn as long as you mulch leaves into small pieces.3 Mulching mowers and leaf mulchers can handle larger leaf volumes more efficiently.

Whether your lawn care calendar covers northern regions or southern zones, mulching enhances the impact of other fall tasks. Late summer to early fall is the perfect time for overseeding your cool-season lawn with premium grass seed such as Pennington Smart Seed grasses or prepping your grass with winterizing fertilizer such as Pennington UltraGreen Winterizer Plus Weed Feed Fertilizer 22-0-14. By mulching leaves into your lawn, you help ensure your grass gets all the benefits you can put into it.

Mulching leaves helps ensure your grass gets the full benefit of fertilizers and other fall tasks.

Does mulching leaves help the environment?

If you’re still wondering whether should you rake leaves, look past your lawn. The benefits of mulching fall leaves go beyond supporting healthy soil and grass growth. Mulched leaves are an excellent addition to your compost pile, creating rich organic material for future garden use. 2 Used as garden mulch, shredded leaves help avoid fluctuations in soil temperatures that can damage plant roots. As mulched leaves decompose, they work as a soil amendment, adding organic matter and improving soil.

Mowing leaves instead of raking also helps to reduce landfills. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that yard trimmings accounted for more than 7% of all municipal solid waste that ultimately ended up in landfills in 2018. That’s about 10.5 million tons of un-composted, landfilled solid waste — and leaves make up 25% of that preventable waste. 6

By mulching your leaves instead of raking, you can improve your lawn and benefit the environment as well. At Pennington, we’re dedicated to helping you grow the best lawn possible and enjoy the results. We’ve been here for seed professionals and homeowners for more than 75 years — and we’re here for you, too. Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions.

Pennington and Smart Seed are registered trademarks of Pennington Seed, Inc.

UltraGreen is a registered trademark of Central Garden Pet Company.Sources: 1. J. Trappe, “Should I Mulch? Or Bag My Leaves This Fall?,” University of Minnesota Extension.

P. Burns, “Leave the Leaves,” North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

R. Finneran, “Mulch Leaves Into Turf for a Smart Lawn,” Michigan State University Extension.

Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling, “Yard Trimmings: Material-Specific Data,” United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The 11 Best Leaf Rakes of 2023

Sage McHugh has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. With over a decade of experience in consumer-oriented content, Sage has a passion for products and how they enhance our everyday lives.

Mary has been a Master Gardener for 30 years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50 years. She is a former Clemson University Extension Agent.

Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact checker, and researcher with more than 25 years’ experience in consumer-oriented content.

Whether gathering fallen leaves, breaking up compacted soil, or leveling mulch or gravel, a top-quality rake has many uses. “Leaf clean-up can be a breeze with the right tools in hand,” says Amber Freda, a landscape designer specializing in city gardens in the New York City area, including rooftops, terraces, and townhomes. We consulted with Freda while researching the best leaf rakes and evaluating products on their material, tines, weight, and comfort.

Here are the best rakes for a variety of tasks.

Best Overall

Fiskars 24-inch Leaf Rake

Our choice for the best overall leaf rake is from Fiskars, a leading manufacturer of garden tools. I have used this Fiskar rake for more than 5 years to gather leaves and small twigs. I love the ease of using a lightweight rake! The handle is comfortable and fits the shape of my hands, and aids in the natural motion of raking leaves. This 24-inch wide rake is lightweight, and the polycarbonate tines are durable enough to take on even the deepest layer of leaves.

With an overall length of 67 inches, the 55-inch handle provides plenty of reach to get under trees. Plus, it should give you enough reach to avoid having to bend too much. The curved tines flex and grab leaves easily but help prevent the rake head from clogging.

If you regularly wear garden gloves while raking, you may find those unnecessary. On the other hand, the aluminum handle might feel chilly on colder days.

Price at time of publish: 30

Tine Length: 5.5 inches | Rake Head Width: 24 inches | Tine Material: Polycarbonate | Handle Material: Aluminum | Weight: 1.5 pounds

Best Budget

Anvil 24-Inch Poly Leaf Rake

“Aluminum or plastic rakes are best for most standard leaf cleanups because they are lightweight and cover a larger span than steel rakes,” says Amber Freda, a landscape designer based in the New York City area. With large tines and a long handle, the plastic Anvil Poly Leaf Rake is well-designed for collecting leaves, sticks, and other yard debris with ease.

Despite its size, this rake is extremely lightweight and has a broad reach, so you don’t have to exert a ton of effort to use it. While this budget-friendly option might not last as long as others, it has a 5-year warranty, it’s fairly durable, and works well considering the price. So, whether you need a rake for regular yard maintenance or just seasonal leaf shedding, the Anvil Poly Leaf Rake is a solid option.

Price at time of publish: 14

Tine Length: 3 inches | Rake Head Width: 24 inches | Tine Material: Plastic | Handle Material: Wood | Weight: 1.9 pounds

Best Heavy-Duty

Bully Tools 30-Inch Poly Leaf Rake

Got large piles of leaves? This heavy-duty leaf lake from Poly Tools gets the job done. The handle is made of durable fiberglass designed to stay rigid under pressure, and the smooth surface makes it comfortable to hold. With an overall length of 72 inches and a 30-inch curved head, you get plenty of reach to pull heavy loads of leaves. The wide fan of tines, which feature reinforced ridges on both sides, can pick up saturated yard debris with ease.

This rake requires assembly but is simple to put together: All you need to do is attach the handle to the head and secure it with a screw. We found a few reports of broken parts upon delivery, so be sure to take advantage of the limited lifetime warranty if you encounter any problems. Also, at 3.4 pounds, this rake is on the heavier side. While the heft is necessary for heavy-duty jobs, users may find it too cumbersome for raking lightweight leaves.

Price at time of publish: 41

Tine Length: Not listed | Rake Head Width: 30 inches | Tine Material: Poly | Handle Material: Fiberglass | Weight: 3.4 pounds

Best for Grass

Ames Thatch Rake

Leaving deep layers of leaves on a lawn eventually kills the grass. Leaving a thick layer of thatch—grass clippings, stolons, and rhizomes that have not decomposed—is equally as detrimental to a healthy lawn. While some thatch is removed when raking leaves, removing thatch with a rake can be hard work. But the Ames rake does a thorough job.

The Ames rake features a head with two types of tines. The straight-edged tines loosen and remove the dead thatch layer with ease. Flip the head over, and the flare-edged tines can be used to scratch or scarify the soil to prepare it for reseeding, if needed. The head and tines are made of steel, so they are strong enough to pull through the most tangled mat of thatch.

Price at time of publish: 60

Tine Length: 4.875 inches | Rake Head Width: 14.25 inches | Tine Material: Steel | Handle Material: Wood | Weight: 4.5 pounds

Best Shrub Rake

Fiskars 8 Inch Shrub Rake

Wide rake heads just don’t fit between and under shrubs or in tight corners easily. That’s why you need a shrub rake. This one from Fiskars is a great choice. The 58-inch-long aluminum handle is lightweight but long enough to get under the largest shrubs. The handle is teardrop-shaped for comfort and provides a good grip as you work.

The tines are made from plastic resin that is flexible but difficult to break. The 8-inch head and 11 tines pull out an amazing amount of leaves with each pass. While doing an entire lawn with this rake would be exhausting, you can make fast work of clearing leaves from hedges and foundation shrubs.

Price at time of publish: 17

Tine Length: 5 inches | Rake Head Width: 8 inches | Tine Material: Plastic resin | Handle Material: Aluminum | Weight: 1.08 pounds

Best Adjustable

Jardineer 63 inch Adjustable Garden Rake Leaf

This adjustable leaf rake from Jardineer can perform a variety of gardening tasks. The rake head is expandable from 7 to 23 inches, and a lock keeps it fixed in any position. The long, telescopic handle reduces the need for bending down and prevents fatigue while raking. Weighing just 1.37 pounds, this rake also is lightweight and easy to maneuver. Its thick aluminum handle is sturdy and comfortable to hold for an extended period.

This rake can be used to gather clippings, leaves, and loose lawn debris. When compressed to its narrowest width, it can get under hedges and in between flower beds without damaging delicate plants. The Jardineer Garden Rake Leaf doesn’t require assembly, which is another big plus. We found a few reports of broken and bent parts, but the product is covered by a 1-year warranty.

Price at time of publish: 27

Tine Length: 5.5 inches | Rake Head Width: 7 to 23 inches | Tine Material: Steel | Handle Material: Aluminum | Weight: 1.37 pounds

Best Scooping Rake

MEKKAPRO Leaf Scoops

Leaf scoops take the work of a rake and simplify it: instead of raking leaves into a pile and then scooping them up with gloved hands, you can do both in one fell swoop. The latest model of the Mekkapro Leaf Scoops offers increased durability, with reinforced plastic to hold up under the weight of larger piles of leaves.

The plastic material is easy to clean and, with a shell-like design, these scoops fit together for compact storage in your garage or tool shed. Now when autumn arrives, you won’t have to dread leaf season—just scoop them up, and you’re finished! We’ve noted that the handles can dig into some wrists, based on the particular person.

Price at time of publish: 30

Tine Length: 19.5 inches | Rake Head Width: 13.5 inches | Tine Material: Reinforced plastic | Handle Material: Reinforced plastic | Weight: 1.6 pounds

Best for Gravel

Midwest 10036 Aluminum Landscape Rake

When it is time to add gravel to a driveway, in a xeriscape bed or French drain, the right rake makes the job go more smoothly. “Steel rakes are excellent for moving soil, gravel, or large, wet clumps of leaves,” says landscape designer Amber Freda. “But,” she continues, “take care not to dig them into your lawn, or you could damage the grass.”

We found an alternative to steel in the Midwest 10036 Aluminum Landscape Rake, made in the USA. It is built for heavy work. A cushion grip anchors the 66-inch heavy aluminum handle, leading to long, tapered 4-inch-high teeth, measuring 36 inches wide. The sturdy connector, made of powder-coated aluminum, assures a close, solid fit.

While this product is specifically designed for moving gravel, such as in driveways, you could easily use it for detritus that builds up besides water such as a river or lake. Turn it over and its straight edge works well for grading a landscape too.

Price at time of publish: 122

Tine Length: 4 inches | Rake Head Width: 36 inches | Tine Material: Aluminum | Handle Material: Aluminum | Weight: 4.79 pounds

Best Adjustable

Tabor Tools Telescopic Metal Rake

If the leaf-raking duties at your house are shared by folks with varying heights, then a rake with an adjustable handle reduces back fatigue and complaining. The Tabor Tools Telescopic Metal Rake not only has an adjustable handle but it also has an adjustable rake head that can move from 8 to 23 inches in width.

Made of lightweight galvanized steel that should not rust, this is a great rake for small urban yards. It is not a good choice for heavy tasks, such as spreading mulch or de-thatching grass, but works great for raking leaves. Since the head width can be adjusted, you can get in tight spaces under shrubs and in small garden beds.

The handle adjusts and locks at any length from 63 to 32 inches. This not only makes it more comfortable to use but also reduces storage space. Since it collapses into an 8-by-32-inch tool, this rake is great to take along to a campsite to clear away leaves for a tent or campfire.

Price at time of publish: 32

Tine Length: 16 inches | Rake Head Width: 8 to 23 inches | Tine Material: Galvanized steel | Handle Material: Galvanized steel | Weight: 2 pounds

Best for Garden Soil

Bully Tools 66-inch Garden Rake

Bully tools are made to last. This sturdy rake, made in America, features a bow-shaped steel head with 15 tines that can break through hard garden soil. The connectors on the head are welded to the handle to add the strength you need. Use the tines to break apart dirt clods; then, flip the head over to smooth the soil and ready it for seeds or seedlings.

The bow design helps give efficient spring action when raking. The 54.5-inch fiberglass handle provides the reach needed to make spreading mulch, weed removal, and removing small roots and rocks go more quickly.

Price at time of publish: 63

Tine Length: 4 inches | Rake Head Width: 16.25 inches | Tine Material: Steel | Handle Material: Fiberglass | Weight: 3.7 pounds

Best Hand Rake

BlackDecker Steel Hand Rake

Leaves manage to fall and weeds manage to grow in flower boxes and container plants. A hand rake, like this one from BlackDecker, is the best tool to remove them without damaging the other plant material.

Made of rust-proof powder-coated steel, this 9-tined tool is extremely lightweight but durable. The tines are strong enough to help with weeding or creating lines for seeding in well-tilled, loose garden soil. To make chores easier, the molded handle has a soft grip for comfortable use. Once you have this tool in your garden caddy, you’re sure to find plenty of uses.

Price at time of publish: 17

Tine Length: 8 inches | Rake Head Width: 5.24 inches | Tine Material: Powder-coated steel | Handle Material: Molded resin | Weight: 7.2 ounces

Our best overall rake is the Fiskars 24-inch Leaf Rake, a lightweight and durable option, with an ergonomically designed handle. It’s large enough to gather leaves on a lawn but small enough to get under many shrubs. If you’re looking to remove deep layers of grass from your lawn, we recommend the Ames Thatch rake. It has two tine types, including one for detaching and one for scarifying soil for seed.

What to Look For in a Leaf Rake

Type

• Leaf/Lawn Rake: The classic lightweight rake for removing fallen leaves has long, flexible tines that fan out from the handle to swoop leaves into a pile. The tines’ ends are bent at a 90-degree angle to gather leaves without damaging the lawn.
• Garden/Landscaping Rake: Much more heavy-duty, garden or landscaping rakes are offered with straight or bow-shaped metal heads. The tines are short and rigid to break through clods of soil or move heavy gravel.
• Thatch Rake: Fitted with heavy-duty, short, specially shaped metal tines, like the Ames Hardwood Rake, thatch rake removes the layer of dead organic matter that can choke out the grass in a lawn.
• Shrub Rake: A smaller version of a leaf rake, a shrub rake has a narrow, less flared head of tines to remove leaf litter from underneath shrubs easily. When you need to remove leaves from under plants, we recommend the Fiskars Shrub Rake.
• Hand Rake: Around the size of a garden trowel, a hand rake is perfect for removing leaves or loosening soil in a container or small area of the garden. Fitted with a comfortable grip handle, the long, steel tines of the BLACKDECKER Steel Fan Rake easily remove leaves and weeds from container plants.

Tines

Metal tines are the most durable option and are well-suited for heavy-duty tasks such as spreading gravel or raking wet leaves. On the downside, metal rakes with steel tines tend to be heavier and more expensive than those made of plastic or polyresin.

Plastic tines are less durable than other options and better suited for light-duty tasks. Their lightweight construction makes them easier to use for an extended period. But they aren’t likely to last as long as metal rakes, and they’re more likely to bend or break.

Polyresin tines straddle the line between metal and plastic. They’re not quite as durable as metal, but they’re stronger than plastic and can handle heavy-duty jobs.

Weight and Comfort

An uncomfortable rake can result in issues with your back arms, and muscles. according to medical experts. A too-short handle can result in excessive bending; a heavy product can result in muscle strain. We recommend that before purchasing a rake, you test it for comfort in a brick-and-mortar store. Adjustable handles are a good choice for a rake intended to be used by people of different heights. A lightweight handle made of polyresin or aluminum can help reduce arm fatigue; a cushioned grip eases hand fatigue. Consider a rake model that can accommodate a handle replacement.

Durability

“Steel rakes are more heavy duty and longer lasting overall than plastic or aluminum,” says Amber Freda, a landscape designer specializing in city gardens in the New York City area. “Aluminum or plastic rakes are best for most standard leaf cleanups because they are lightweight and cover a larger span than steel rakes.” Rakes made with metal tines and handles are usually the most durable. The metal tines seldom break, and can be hammered back into shape if they get bent. Handles made of metal are often adjustable for comfort. But this durability comes at a higher price tag. Aluminum handles are durable but lighter to handle and generally cost less.

The one rule to always follow when raking leaves is to get the leaves removed before the first snow falls. Leaves left on the ground over the winter can cause diseases in turfgrass. Too many leaves left around home foundations can harbor bothersome insects and rodents. Some gardeners like to rake leaves several times during autumn to keep the leaf piles smaller. Others wait until late autumn so one weekend of labor takes care of the task. However, “It’s not a good idea to have leaves sitting on your lawn because they can kill your grass by depriving it of sunlight,” Freda points out. It is always best to rake leaves when they are as dry as possible before winter precip makes a soggy mess.

Removing large leaves and thatch from your lawn helps keep it healthy. Both types of organic matter can block nutrients, airflow, and sunlight that are needed for lush lawns. “Raking will allow your lawn to breathe and receive sunlight better,” Freda says. If you despise raking, consider getting a lawn mower that grinds the leaves into small bits of mulch. Left in the lawn, they enhance the nitrogen level of the soil. If you prefer to remove leaves entirely, consider them as compost or other uses such as plant insulation. On the lighter side, you can even turn raked leaves into an art form.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Sage McHugh, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce who specializes in the home and garden sector. For expert insight, She interviewed Amber Freda, a landscape designer specializing in city gardens in the NYC area, including rooftops, terraces, and townhomes. To select the best leaf rakes for this roundup, McHugh considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their material, tines, weight, and comfort.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

What to Do With Leaves: 7 Things

Well, you have the Instagram-worthy pops of gold, yellow, red, and orange fall foliage you wanted from your trees. But perhaps you weren’t expecting All. Those. Leaves. What does one do with leaves, you ask?

If your city or county won’t take them, or you want to recycle them for your own benefit, here are seven ideas for what to do with all of those fall leaves.

Things to Do With Fallen Leaves

Rake Them (Without Back Pain)

The first step is to get leaves off the ground. Layers of leaves deprive grass of the light and air it needs to survive. You can use a leaf blower or a mower to remove them, but the time-honored method is to rake them.

Raking can be a DIY chore, but if you don’t have time or have a physical limitation, you can hire someone to rake the leaves for you. Most homeowners pay around 300 for leaf removal.

If you decide to go the DIY route, here are a few quick tips:

Expect to rake more than once. Start when 20% to 30% of the leaves have fallen. Waiting until leaves start to decompose makes them difficult to rake.

Use a leaf rake: The fan-shaped metal, bamboo, or plastic tines of a leaf rake are easy on your lawn, and a wide fan pulls more leaves with each pass. If leaves have piled under shrubs or in the garden bed, use a shrub rake, which looks like a mini garden rake.

Use a tarp to remove leaves. Don’t make multiple trips to dispose of the leaves; rake them onto a tarp. Once the tarp is full (but not overflowing), grab the ends to close it. Then drag it to the area where you plan to work. You may need help if you’re working with a large tarp.

The American Chiropractic Association offers tips on how to avoid back, neck, and shoulder strains:

• Wear supportive shoes, stand as straight as possible, and keep your head up as you rake or mow.
• Bend at the knees, not the waist, as you pick up equipment or a big pile of leaves.
• Make the leaf piles small enough to avoid back strain.

Make Organic Mulch

Does your garden need organic mulch? You’re in luck because the raw materials are in your yard. Mulching is a DIY project with a big payback: It provides nutrients to your plants, plus maintains moisture, protects roots, and blocks weeds. Here’s how to make mulch:

Shred the leaves. Run over dried leaves with your lawn mower, collecting the bits in the mower bag. Or pick them up with a leaf blower vacuum. (Bonus: This gets you out of raking.) No mower bag or leaf vacuum? Rake up the leaves, dump them into a trash can, and shred them with a weed trimmer.

Distribute. You can dump the leaf bits straight from the bag or transfer them to a tarp or bin if you want more control. Spread them on:

• Trees and shrubs: Put down a 3 to 6-inch layer, especially around any new plants.
• Flower and vegetable gardens: Spread leaves 2 to 3 inches thick. If your climate allows you to grow vegetables in colder months, put down a thick layer of leaves between rows to use as a walkway in wet weather.

Mulch Leaves Into the Lawn

Your lawn can benefit from mulch, too. Like making garden mulch, mulching leaves into your lawn is an easy process: Just shred the dry leaves with your mower. But don’t bag the leaves, just allow them to lie where they fall. The leaf bits will settle between the grass blades, where microbes will start the decomposition process.

Pro Tip: This works best if you don’t have a lot of leaves. After shredding, you should be able to see the grass. If all you can see are shredded leaves, there are too many, or they aren’t properly chopped. Here’s how to solve that:

• For too many leaves, rake up the excess. You can use them for garden and landscape mulch or compost them.
• Leaf bits too large? Go back over them with your mower until they’re the proper size.

Make Compost With Them

Composting is a great way to keep all sorts of yard waste out of landfills — leaves included. It also saves you money. According to the PennState Extension, fallen leaves from a large shade tree can provide around 50 worth of plant food. To start:

Decide where to compost. You can build your own compost container or purchase a bin or a compost tumbler. Or start a compost pile in your backyard.

Gather your composting materials. Compost needs a balanced mix of green (nitrogen-based) and brown (carbon-rich) materials.

Maintain the pile: Water enough to keep the pile moist, but don’t overwater. Turn over the pile every couple of weeks to give the microbes enough oxygen to work properly.

Amend the Soil With Leaf Mold

Another way to recycle fallen leaves is to use them in seasonal crafts. Here are a few leaf craft project ideas for you or the kids to tackle:

• Form a “flower” arrangement with twigs and leaves.
• Adorn your mantel with branches and leaves.
• Create a natural wreath using twigs, twine, and leaves.
• Press leaves onto parchment paper, frame, and display.
• Make an autumnal garland for your stairway or door frames.

Protect Plants and Animals From the Cold

If you live in an area with harsh winters, your excess leaves can be used for another purpose — to shelter plants and animals from the cold. Here are a few tips on how to winterize your garden:

Insulate your plants: A freeze-thaw-freeze cycle can damage plants, so spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of shredded leaves in the garden to keep soil temperatures consistent. Don’t use whole leaves, as they can prevent water from reaching plant roots.

Create a habitat for backyard animals. Beneficial insects and small animals, such as toads, turtles, and birds, take shelter in leaf cover during the winter. If you have a large property, blow raked leaves into your tree line, or pile them along a fence to provide shelter.

FAQ

No. Some leaves have chemicals that can stunt plant growth or prevent plants from growing altogether:

Walnut leaves contain juglone, which stunts the growth of other plants.

Eucalyptus leaves have phenolic acids, tannins, and flavonoids, which have been shown to prevent some plants from germinating.

Camphor laurel leaves contain camphor that can prevent growth in some plants.

Chopped leaves break down faster. If left whole, leaves can clump together and suffocate your grass. Clumps of dead leaves also harbor mold and fungus that can destroy your grass. For best results, coarsely shred leaves before mulching them.

Fortunately, there are several ways to get leaves, other mulching materials, or even free mulch.

Ask around for leaves. Your neighbors, co-workers, or your Aunt Betty may be delighted to give you all the leaves you could possibly use, especially if you offer to rake them.

Add in grass clippings. Bag up the clippings from your summer lawn mowing and mix them with leaves to create compost. Or just use the clippings as mulch, but make sure they’re dry before spreading. Don’t use clippings from a lawn treated with herbicides.

Check with your city. Some cities offer mulch programs for residents. All you have to do is go to the designated pickup site. Don’t forget to bring a shovel and some kind of container.

When to Call in the Pros

If you like the idea of recycling fallen leaves, but the thought of raking and shredding is too much, consider calling a professional lawn care company. Local pros have the equipment to collect your leaves more quickly and efficiently than you could do on your own.

Freelance writer Lee Nelson contributed to this report.

Andréa Butler

Descendant of the Fulani tribe, Gettysburg-obsessed Marine Corps brat, and lover of all things writing and editing, Andréa Butler launched Sesi magazine and has penned articles for sites, such as LivingSocial, Talbot Digital, Xickle, Culturs magazine, and Rachel Ray. Andréa holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an M.A. in magazine journalism from Kent State University.

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