This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 237,353 times.
Looking for easier ways to rake your yard? Wondering what you can do to take that pressure off of your back when it’s time to clean those leaves up? If so, you’re in luck! You may be surprised by just how many hacks and tricks there are here, and we’ve compiled all of them together so that you can make this process a breeze. From what kind of rake to buy to how to rake properly and more, read on to learn everything you need to know about raking leaves.
Things You Should Know
- Keep the rake close to your body and use small, comfortable strokes to rake leaves up without irritating your back and shoulder.
- Wear gloves and long pants to avoid blisters and scratches from the rake as you work.
- You actually don’t have to rake your lawn! Dead leaves are high in nitrogen, which is incredibly good for your grass and soil.
Steps
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow to rake leaves over gravel?Community AnswerIf the gravel is fine enough, then you may be able to rake the leaves with a wide rake. Try a couple of different types of rakes to see if they will rake up the leaves and not the gravel. If that does not work, then using a leaf blower to get the leaves off of the gravel may be your best bet.
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QuestionWhat will unraked leaves do to the grass?Community AnswerIf you have lots of unraked leaves on your lawn, then it is possible for them to smother your lawn and kill the grass. However, mulching or mowing the leaves into your lawn can be beneficial to your lawn. If you have a mulcher, then you can mulch the leaves and spread them over your lawn as a natural fertilizer. If you don't have a mulcher, then simply mowing the leaves will chop them up enough to prevent smothering and benefit your lawn.
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QuestionWhat are the benefits or hazards of raking wet leaves?Community AnswerThere are not really any benefits. Raking wet leaves will be harder on your arms and back because they weigh more. If possible, wait until the leaves are dry to start raking them.
Video
Tips
Warnings
- Do not burn the leaves to dispose of them. This is typically illegal, since burning dead leaves can release noxious fumes and harmful particles into the air.[18]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-right-way-to-rake-all-those-leaves-in-your-yard-without-hurting-your-back/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-right-way-to-rake-all-those-leaves-in-your-yard-without-hurting-your-back/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-right-way-to-rake-all-those-leaves-in-your-yard-without-hurting-your-back/
- ↑ https://www.indy.gov/activity/leaf-collection-season
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-right-way-to-rake-all-those-leaves-in-your-yard-without-hurting-your-back/
- ↑ https://www.williamcapicottomd.com/prevent-autumn-back-pain/
- ↑ https://todayshomeowner.com/9-tips-to-rake-leaves-faster-than-ever/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-right-way-to-rake-all-those-leaves-in-your-yard-without-hurting-your-back/
- ↑ https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2018/10/it-absolutely-necessary-rake-leaves-fall-or-can-it-wait-until-spring
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/11/opinion/red-state-liberal-leaf-blowers.html
- ↑ https://turf.umn.edu/sites/turf.umn.edu/files/files/media/n-content-tree-leaves.pdf
- ↑ https://turf.umn.edu/news/good-question-do-you-really-need-rake-all-those-leaves
- ↑ https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19547932/eliminate-leaves/
- ↑ https://www.audubon.org/magazine/spring-2021/why-cities-are-taking-action-limit-loud-and
- ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/g23747504/how-to-buy-the-right-rake/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-right-way-to-rake-all-those-leaves-in-your-yard-without-hurting-your-back/
- ↑ https://charlottenc.gov/SWS/Pages/Yard-Waste-Collection.aspx
- ↑ https://www.indy.gov/activity/leaf-collection-season
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"Ways to rake leaves without killing yourself. Nice videos of people raking. I don't do the whole job at one time. A little raking each day is enough on my 100-foot drive. "..." more