How to Properly Use a Leaf Blower

2022-10-19
How to Properly Use a Leaf Blower

Whether you need to clean off the sidewalk after mowing or gather up fall leaves, leaf blowers are an efficient tool that can get the job done fast. These machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes that can fit nearly any homeowner’s needs. And thanks to new innovations, leaf blower models are increasingly quiet, which can go a long way towards staying in your neighbors' good graces. This simple guide will help you to choose and use a leaf blower safely and accurately.

Types of Leaf Blowers

As technology has advanced, several types of leaf blowers have been developed from gas-powered backpack units to hand-held battery-powered blowers. Before buying a leaf blower, it's worth carefully considering the features that are important to you so that you get the best model for your needs.

Gas-Powered: There are two kinds of gas-powered leaf blowers: the hand-held and the backpack. Both types of gas-powered leaf blowers provide substantial power and capability from 2-stroke engines. Handhelds tend to be easy to handle for most users while backpack units are often substantially heavier, but more powerful. For excellent performance and multi-use capability, some models provide blower, vacuum, and leaf mulcher all in one, significantly easing the workload of maintaining larger landscapes.

Electric: This kind of leaf blower functions in a similar way as gas-powered machines, but plugs in or uses a battery pack as its power source. Generally weighing less and slightly more maneuverable, electric leaf blowers offer adjustable power, but in the case of battery-powered models, they can have a shorter run time. Electric blowers are great for smaller yards where quieter machines are preferred and range issues aren’t as important. 

Leaf Blower Safety

As with all equipment, safety gear is highly recommended while using your leaf blower. Safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and ear protection are beneficial for users of both gas-powered and electric units. Additionally, pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes will help protect you from flying debris.

How to Properly Use a Leaf Blower

Using a leaf blower correctly requires a bit of technique. And for best results, this task should be done during calm, dry weather when leaves, dust, and other debris can easily be blown in a single direction. Follow these three easy steps to use your leaf blower:

Step 1: Identify "Leaf Traps"

Before starting up your leaf blower, take a few minutes to walk the area you’ll be working and identify where most leaves have naturally gathered. These “leaf traps” could include storm drains and around shrubs or tall ornamental grasses

Step 2: Choose a Starting Point

With your leaf blower held to your side, identify a location around the perimeter of the yard to begin. Standing there, start blowing leaves into a central, open space. Use bursts of air to move leaves around and resist using a “full-throttle” approach. Point the blower toward the ground directly in front of you and sway the blower back and forth in a “U” shape, gathering leaves as you move across the yard. 

Step 3: Gather Leaves into Piles

As you move toward the center of the yard, gather leaves into small piles rather than one large pile, which can be more difficult to clean up and will smother grass or other plants if left for more than a few days at a time. 

What to Do with Leaf Piles

Once leaves have been piled together, you have multiple options for removal.

Mulch: Leaves provide an excellent source of nutrients, habitat, and natural weed suppression and can be sprinkled around garden beds in late fall. In most areas that receive plenty of rain and snow, a 4-5” layer of leaves will biodegrade into the soil within a single season.

Compost: Another option for your collected leaves is to compost them. As with mulching, fallen leaves make excellent compost that can later be used to improve garden soils. 

Fall Decoration Filler: In lieu of bagging and disposal, leaves can also be used as filler for fall decorations. Halloween leaf bags come in a wide variety of sizes and designs making them a good fit for most yards.  

Disposal: If none of the previous options will work, proper disposal of leaves is important! Most cities and towns discourage blowing leaves into the streets or gutters as they can clog storm water drains and their decomposition can lead to river and stream water quality issues. Always contact your municipal waste hauler or city government to find out the best way to dispose of leaves. 

With the help of leaf blowers, taking care of fallen leaves and other maintenance tasks can become much easier once you know how to use them effectively. 

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow Coleus Plants for Their Gorgeous Leaves

How to Plant and Grow Coleus Plants for Their Gorgeous Leaves

These coleus plant care tips will give you plenty of stunning foliage to enjoy in both sun or shade.
How and When to Cut Back Mums for the Best Blooms

How and When to Cut Back Mums for the Best Blooms

Use these tips to pinch and cut back mums at the right times to get the most flowers.
Are Pansies Perennials That Will Come Back After Winter?

Are Pansies Perennials That Will Come Back After Winter?

Grow pansies as perennials or annuals to provide color during cool spring and fall weather. Plus get tips on when to plant pansies and how to grow them from seed.
How to Plant and Grow Cup Plant

How to Plant and Grow Cup Plant

Follow this easy guide to plant and grow cup plant, a tall North American native perennial that attracts birds and pollinators.
How to Plant and Grow Milkweed

How to Plant and Grow Milkweed

The main food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars, milkweed also attracts lots of other pollinators. Learn how to grow this pretty native plant, deal with pests, choose the best types of milkweed, and what companion plants to grow with it.
How to Plant and Grow Bush Honeysuckle

How to Plant and Grow Bush Honeysuckle

Also called diervilla, bush honeysuckle is an easy-care native shrub that attracts pollinators with cheerful yellow flowers.
How to Plant and Grow Florida Anise

How to Plant and Grow Florida Anise

Florida anise is a Southeastern native shrub that is gaining popularity for good reason; it’s an easy-to-grow, shade-loving shrub with year-round garden interest.
10 Stunning Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscape

10 Stunning Types of Magnolia Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscape

There is a type of magnolia tree or shrub for every landscape. Use this guide to choose the best magnolia for your garden.
How to Plant and Grow Cranberry Hibiscus

How to Plant and Grow Cranberry Hibiscus

The burgundy foliage of cranberry hibiscus is welcome in areas with full sun and plenty of heat. This guide includes planting and care tips to grow cranberry hibiscus in your garden.
Expert Tips for Growing and Designing With Beautiful Boxwood

Expert Tips for Growing and Designing With Beautiful Boxwood

With our boxwood garden ideas, you'll create durable changes to your landscaping. Boxwoods, a type of evergreen, are an elegant addition to a formal garden. Learn how to care for boxwood, so that your boxwood garden thrives.
19 Rabbit and Deer-Resistant Container Plants for Your Garden

19 Rabbit and Deer-Resistant Container Plants for Your Garden

These rabbit and deer-resistant container plants don’t usually attract furry four-legged creatures for a snack or meal.
How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

How to Harvest Mint, Dry Mint, and Store Mint

Learn how to harvest mint to keep plants more manageable and gather fresh mint leaves for cooking, drying, and storing!
How and When to Harvest Peas at Their Peak

How and When to Harvest Peas at Their Peak

How and when to harvest peas depends on the type. Find out how to time your harvest right for each type of pea, and get tips for plucking pods without damaging the plant.
Is Your Outdoor Plant Dead or Dormant? 5 Easy Ways to Tell

Is Your Outdoor Plant Dead or Dormant? 5 Easy Ways to Tell

Not sure if a garden plant is dead or dormant after the winter? These tips well help you tell the difference.
Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer: Which One Is Better for Your Plants?

Liquid vs. Granular Fertilizer: Which One Is Better for Your Plants?

Take the mystery out of feeding your plants by learning the pros and cons of liquid vs. granular fertilizer. Find out how and when to best apply both types of fertilizers.
How to Prevent Powdery Mildew on Squash Plants for a Healthy Crop

How to Prevent Powdery Mildew on Squash Plants for a Healthy Crop

Learn what you can do to protect powdery mildew on squash plants and stop an infection before it gets out of hand.
How to Get Rid of Weeds in Flower Beds—and Stave Off New Ones

How to Get Rid of Weeds in Flower Beds—and Stave Off New Ones

Unwanted plants among your treasured blooms can ruin the whole effect. But with the right tools and techniques, you can eliminate the invaders.
4 Grass Alternatives for Yards with Major Curb Appeal

4 Grass Alternatives for Yards with Major Curb Appeal

Gravel, artificial turf, groundcover plants, and large planting beds are traditional grass lawn alternatives. Pick one for your yard from our list.
How to Use a Weed Whacker to Fly Through Your Landscaping Chores

How to Use a Weed Whacker to Fly Through Your Landscaping Chores

This guide will help you use a weed whacker efficiently and safely to accomplish weed removal, edging, trimming, and other landscaping tasks
How to Plant and Grow Horsetail

How to Plant and Grow Horsetail

Horsetail is a water-loving plant that looks stunning almost anywhere—as long as you take measures to control it.