While fall remains a spectacular time of year with trips to the park, hiking trails and debating whether “this is the best year ever for colorful leaves”… it does couple itself with one of the most distasteful homeowner chores. LEAF REMOVAL. As Hamilton Counties’ tree canopy continues to mature and our green cities plant thousands annually in an effort to remain on the Tree City USA favored list, that responsibility grows more painful.

One stately oak tree, four messy maples, an obese river birch and a variety of knee surgeries have encouraged me to develop a targeted leaf removal process that you may appreciate knowing. As you read this, it’s “game on.”

Blow, mow and go adequately describe the early phase … and is best with a helper.  Start with the beds, walks and drive and employ a powerful blower to encourage the leaves into the lawn while your bribed partner is mowing up the leaves. A mulch mower at the highest setting performs best and don’t even dream about using a bag on the mower to capture them. It’s not necessary and is more work.

Did you know that mulched leaves are over 75% nitrogen and water?  As these pulverized beauties decompose, your lawn receives a juicy bonus. Expect to make several passes with the mower to adequately pulverize.  Wait a few days and repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

My favorite tool?  Hungry teenagers and college students.  Is there a better answer to leaf removal or any chore that doesn’t require a caring attention span?  A buck a bag is teenager union standard, although we have negotiated far less. There are no W-2’s or 1099’s to file, and they love cash. (Expect congress to act soon on this tax loophole.) Works great as a disciplinary tool, too!  Delay bagging leaves as long as possible. The mowing strategy above should resolve 90 percent of leaf removal.

The final phase requires a serious clean up and will prime your lawn and landscape beds for success next growing season.  Adopt the above strategies and expect to bend, squat and stuff lots of bags this time. The leaves are often too densely wet at this stage to adequately pulverize.   

The No-Nos? Secretly blowing them into your neighbors’ yard is a gardening sin and should be completely avoided, unless your neighbor is out of town or he hasn’t returned your borrowed shovel.

Have a colorful fall and joyful leaf removal experience.