Bag mow just above the grass line while going in reverse.
Why in reverse?
Seems like a good way to lose a toe or three.
@Daire
lol I think he’s using a riding mower.
Bag mow just above the grass line while going in reverse.
The reverse method really works. I may look silly, but I can suck up leaves much quicker on my ride-on mower with the bagger. Do you know why it’s more efficient in reverse?
@Frost
Because you’re moving slower.
Even if you still end up bagging them, I strongly suggest mowing over them or running them through a mulcher first. It will reduce the number of bags you need by a lot. Another benefit of mowing first is that the leaves might break down enough that you don’t even need to bag them.
@Uma
This is exactly what I do. I open the side chute and blow (and slightly mulch) towards a central area. Then cover the side and run over them a few times if needed. After that, I connect the bagger and suck up the finely mulched leaves. I think it’s more than 10 times compression.
I do use a 20-year-old Scott’s riding mower for this. It works great!
Mulching leaves into the lawn is really helpful for several reasons:
- Adds organic matter to the soil, helping with nutrients and moisture retention, easing compaction, and improving drainage over time.
- Gives the lawn many nutrients that are otherwise tough and costly to supply… Especially micronutrients. Trees are excellent at taking up nutrients.
- Is an effective way to prevent weeds… Very good for preventing broadleaf weeds, and can even help reduce future poa annua and crabgrass.
According to MSU, you can mulch up to 6 inches of leaves into a lawn at once. That depends on your mower’s performance… But even in the worst case, it might just mean going over the leaves several times, which is still quicker than raking or bagging.
Tips for effective mulching:
- Start the fall with a higher mowing height.
- Use true mulching blades (most new push mowers come with them). They have a curved cutting edge to create lift.
- Plug the side discharge chute. Push mowers usually have an easy flap to close. Riding mowers may need a separate accessory for this.
- Don’t let leaves pile up too high. Weekly cleaning is usually enough, but windy days might require extra trips.
- Do it when the leaves are mainly dry. A little moisture can help, but dry is better than too wet.
- If you see clumps of matted leaves… Break them up. I usually kick them, but a rake or blower works too.
The common argument against mulching is that it’ll smother the grass… Simply put, if you are smothering the grass, you’re doing it wrong. Unless you have a lot of poa trivialis or poa annua, mulching leaves can help with those, and they often fill back in next year.
Note: Don’t mulch leaves if you plan to dormant seed, as the weed prevention also applies to ungerminated grass seed.
You might want to look into an estate rake if you have a riding mower, then work them to the curb for pickup.
If you mulching, do it a few times a week to stay ahead of the leaves.
A backpack blower is a good investment.
I’d recommend tossing the rakes though; life’s too short for that.
Work smart, not hard. Hire a lawn care company once all the leaves have fallen.
Mow early and often.
Use a dual leaf blower on a pile, then vacuum them to shred and dispose.
Yuka robot mower does it all for me!
They have these called leaf blowers. Ear muffs sold separately.
Buy a good backpack blower with the highest CFM you can find. Consider getting a Worx mulcher and make the upgrades people recommend. Put on some headphones and go to town.
Check local waste and recycling places; they might take yard waste for free. Or check local Facebook pages since many people want free mulched leaves.
@Davi
Can you share links to the Worx mulcher upgrade?
Curbside leaf pickup for the front yard.
Podcast and mulch two hours per week for the backyard.