Raking leaves is a fall ritual. Here are some suggestions and a couple gadgets to show you that can make the job less frustrating.
The first is the Magic Ring. A piece of plastic that holds bags wide open. Since the Magic Ring was introduced last year, hundreds of thousands of them have been sold. It's available in home improvement and garden stores for about $8.00.
The second is a Canadian invention. The Skooper created by Augustine Jones who found a rake alone does a messy job. Using his two lightly curved plastic paddles he can squeeze the leaves together.
"And 100 per cent of the leaves goes right into the bag," Jones said.
The Skooper keeps your hands away from bugs, surprises left by neigbourhood pets, and other yard waste. It's available on-line-and sells for about $20 dollars. Please link: http://www.gardenskooper.com/index.php
It used to be homeowners in Vancouver could just push their leaves into the street for the city to pick up. But that clogs the storm drains and makes the road slippery for drivers and cyclists. So break out that rake.
If you compost, remember to put some of the leaves aside. Adding brown leaves a bit at a time to your compost can help eliminate any bad smell. You can store them in an unused garbage can to add to your compost throughout the year.
And if you have just a few leaves you can spread them around your garden to prevent soil erosion and in the spring you just dig them in.
