raking leaves

[ProfessorM]

I prefer to compost them as they are still a little too big to be left on the lawn, esp. maple leaves. I take all the neighbors leaves too and roto them into the garden and also mulch all my shrubs with them. Cheaper than wood chips and way more beneficial for the plants. Raking is way better for the lawn as it drags out the crap and stuff in the lawn, I can't think of the word right now, which helps the health of the lawn but I am too lazy to rake all the lawn. As it is I try and eliminate some of my lawn every year with plantings and shrubs. Lawns, good looking lawns that is, require way too much work and chemicals to make it worth while to me.

[Swimmer]

I suck em up in the tractor. Mixed in with grass they start to compost. I help by adding lime to the mixture of browns and greens. The place I put them is inside a circular fence about ten feet across. I do rake them also though up onto a green plastic tarp and drag them to where the compost pile is. It does suck. Some people never rake and thier leaves blow in everyone else's yard. One of my neighbors has two huge maples that has not lost a leave yet. When they do fall they'll blow right over into my and my neighbors yard. Oh well, be down cellar soon working on the rods and putzing with some lures.

[BigFish]

Only time I will touch a rake is to clean up in the spring!!