Leaf Blowing

Here's the picture: Autumn winds have strewn every leaf from the trees, whether in your garden or not, all over your lawn. And you're wondering how to clear them before they rot, killing the new grass beneath, damaging the look of your lawn for the next year.

I get it.

Let's go back to the middle of September when you're literally dreaming of the last cut you need to make of the grass that is forever growing on your lawn.

After, what? 20 weeks of mowing... every week - that could be the best part of 300 hours - (maths: 20 x 30mins... yeah. That's at LEAST 300 hours!) without fail; And there's no skipping a week because we all know that mowing the lawn eliminates any worries about anyone noticing the difference between flowers and weeds in the borders.

A mown lawn makes the garden look trim, approachable, enjoyable. In fact, it's really the only thing we need to do well... in the garden.

Fast forward to the end of November. Looking out of the window; sensing the grass dying beneath the weight of the fallen leaves and for the reasons I've already surmised, you need a solution. A quick solution.

YES! A leaf blower!

WHY????? (I ask myself)

Begin with the noise they make. It's annoying.

It's not a consistent purr, rumble or whirring sound that could settle as white noise in the brain.

It's not a joyous 'revving' helping soothe Summer's exit and Autumn's entrance.

It's not an acceptable replacement for the low drumming of rotor-blades under a lawnmower working hard to please.

It's like listening to my neighbour's chronic music, playing really loudly, intermittently, as the music's volume is turned up full and down to silence, at irregular intervals... for hours!

Oh and it takes hours. HOURS! And the reason why it takes hours to collect leaves off the lawn is because...

When the leaves are wet, they don't 'blow' and when they're super dry, they blow absolutely everywhere: left, right... behind you... back to where you've just blown them from - not to mention the ones still suspended in the air still to land in any of the designated places already mentioned.

So, why would you use a leaf-blower??

It's not for me to tell you how best to look after your lawn, God forbid! But, honestly? Save your anxiety, save your money. Ask yourself: Why am I not using a rake and making use of those IKEA bits that I never put into the shelving system to scoop up leaves?

Because you're using a leaf blower!

It's pointless and annoying.

Disclaimer: The author holds no responsibility for any mathematical errors so long as it is used to enhance her point. Which it does in this instance.