Changing leaves are the first real sign of Fall. But while those gorgeous red, gold and orange petals are fun to stare at during long drives through the countryside, fallen leaves are a hassle for homeowners.

Trees provide shade in the summer and protection in the winter but they’re shedding in the fall leads to hours of backbreaking work. The leaves typically seem to win the battle, but this year it’s possible for you to win the war against the foliage blanketing your yard, driveway, and sidewalk.

Here are some simple ways to beat the leaves this Fall, guaranteed to raking easier on your body.

If They’re Wet, Don’t Bother

We all lead busy lives and raking leaves is often left to “free time” on weekends or right before the sun calls it quits on the weekday. Unfortunately, Mother Nature doesn’t check our Google Calendar. She has her agenda, and it involves quick fall showers or early morning condensation. All that water creates piles of wet foliage around the yard.

Wet leaves are heavy leaves. They are difficult to rake and hard to bag. Wait until the leaves are dry, almost resembling colorful loose leaf paper, before heading out to the yard with a rake in hand.

If wet leaf removal is unavoidable, try drilling small holes in the bottom of a garbage can before storing your bagged remains in there. Pressure tends to build between the bag and trashcan, causing you to strain while pulling out the heavy wet leaves. Making holes about two inches wide will reduce suction and yanking the bag out will be a breeze.

Aside from being heavy, wet leaves can also be a fall hazard. Your leaf-covered lawn can be transformed from a picturesque autumn scene to a slippery ice-skating rink after just one rainfall. Avoid the possibility of a broken limb or sprained back by waiting until the ground is dry to clean up. Making your landscape foliage-free isn’t worth risking your health.

Do A Little At A Time

Remember that little tasks help make the job easier. Minimize how far you move your leaves and rake them directly onto nearby flower beds that won’t be worked on until spring. Maintain small piles in different areas of the yard so you don’t have to drag tarps full of leaves any farther than necessary. Simple steps help save time and avoid aches and pains from overworking.

You Don’t Have To Pick Up Leaves

Yes, we said it. You don’t have to collect all the leaves in your front yard. 

According to the National Wildlife Foundation, people shouldn’t feel obligated to rake up every last leaf in the yard. Fallen leaves provide habitat to wildlife, and many critters rely on leaf cover to survive and build nests. Leaves are a natural part of the ecosystem and deliver nutrients to many organisms. They’re beneficial to outside animals and your garden.

Conclusion

Yard work doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking, and it doesn’t have to take up an entire weekend. Even if the leaves surrounding your house have been piling up since the day after Labor Day, it’s not too late to get every last petal into a pile. The key is to have the right tools and plan of attack to complete every task as quickly and effortlessly as possible.