You’ve seen those leaf blowers in use, but now you’re wondering if they really work on grass. Leaf blowers are commonly used to clean the dust off a cement patio or to clear light snow, but do they work on the grass? In this article, we’ll answer whether leaf blowers work on the grass and if they can effectively move clumps of cut grass.
Leaf blowers do work on the grass. If everything is dry, you should be able to blow leaves off the grass with no problem. You can also use a leaf blower to blow cut grass, such as after you mow the lawn. However, if the grass clippings are especially heavy, you may have mixed results. This will depend on the strength of your leaf blower. Finally, leaf blowers can have negative effects on lawns.
In the sections below, we’ll look at some different types of leaf blowers, and whether they will work on the grass. We’ll also give you some tips on how to get the most out of your blower and avoid frustrations. Let’s begin.
Will a Leaf Blower Work on Grassy Surfaces?
Yes, a leaf blower is made to work on grass. Whether you’re blowing leaves or grass clippings, a high-powered leaf blower will get the job done. However, for best results, you should keep a few things in mind – we’ll talk about these things in the next section.
After we talk about some of the ways to effectively use a leaf blower on grass, we’ll also go over some of the negative effects of using a leaf blower on grass, and how you can mitigate these effects.
How to use a leaf blower on the grass:
- Choose the right leaf blower
- Be strategic
- Wait for the grass to dry
- Have a clean-up plan ready
We’ll look at all these points in more depth. But stick around, because later we will talk about some of the dangers of using a leaf blower on the grass, and how you can avoid these problems.
Choose the Right Leaf Blower for Grassy Surfaces
For the best experience when blowing debris off your lawn, you need to choose the best leaf blower for the job. If you have an extraordinarily large lawn, then you should consider going with a large, high-powered leaf blower. These are usually gas-powered, and the engine pack can be worn on your back.
The other type of leaf blower is battery-powered. These have become more and more popular in recent years, and, with lithium-ion battery technology, they work very well with a lot of power. Of course, many still aren’t quite as powerful as gas-powered models.
Take your time when thinking about the type of leaf blower you need. Electric models will be much easier to maintain, and they aren’t usually as loud. This can be a bonus if you happen to have especially close neighbors.
Be Strategic about Blowing Leaves on the Lawn
The second thing you need to do is to develop a strategy for blowing the leaves. This means that you need to find some type of system for encouraging the leaves in a single direction and into a single pile.
Many people only blow in one direction, this ensures that you don’t blow leaves over the area you have already cleared. The second thing you need to think about is the various densities of the leaves and grass clippings. If you’re using the leaf blower in the fall, you will find that different types of leaves respond in a different ways to the leaf blower.
Speaking of different types of leaves, let’s talk about another key point.
Wait for the Grass or the Leaves to Dry
Wait for the leaves to dry. In most cases, you will be able to move leaves much easier when they are dry, as it will take less power. However, there are a few things to consider.
First, if the leaves and grass are very dry, then you will create more dust, and the leaves will be much more likely to blow around in the wind. You don’t want the leaves to be soaking wet, but you probably also don’t want them to be bone dry.
Sometimes, after people have blown their leaves into a pile, they will purposefully cover them with some water, to help pack them down and ensure that the leaves don’t blow away. Let’s talk about having a plan in place once you’ve finished blowing the leaves.
Have a Clean-Up Plan Ready After Using the Leaf Blower
Finally, after you’ve blown the leaves, you need to think about how you’re going to dispose of them. This is, perhaps, one of the most important aspects of leaf blowing.
There are a few bad things that can happen at this point. First, people blow their leaves into their neighbor’s yard – never a good idea.
Second, some people blow the leaves into a pile, only to have the leaves blow right back onto their yard when the next gust of wind comes through. What do you do?
Well, after blowing the leaves into general piles, you can use a rake to scoop them up and put them into trash bags. Then, take them to a local waste department that accepts leaves and lawn debris.
In some areas, you can blow your leaves into piles on the street, and then the city will come by and pick them up. Don’t do this unless you know it’s authorized. Also, don’t throw leaves into your regular trash without first contacting your waste management company.
In some areas, you are allowed to burn leaves, but you need to make sure this is legal and that you know what you’re doing – burning leaves can lead to big problems if it’s done incorrectly.
Now, let’s talk about a few downsides to blowing leaves off the grass.
The Downsides to Using a Leaf Blower on the Grass
Let’s look at some of the downsides to using a leaf blower on the grass. While you can use a leaf blower on the grass, and people do it all the time, there are some risks you should be aware of. If you’re only using the leaf blower on the grass once in a while, these aren’t huge issues. But if you’re using the leaf blower on the grass all the time, you could begin to see the negative effects.
Problems to avoid when blowing leaves off the grass:
- Losing soil
- Debris pollution
- Loud noises
See more details in the sections below.
Soil Loss from Leaf Blowers
Using a leaf blower too often can begin to erode the good soil of your lawn. This can make your lawn less fertile, and lead to the soil becoming unnaturally compacted, which further inhibits grass growth. Keep this possibility in mind when reaching for a high-powered leaf blower.
Prevent Debris Pollution from Leaf Blowers
When you use your leaf blower, you are not just blowing leaves, you’re blowing everything else into the air. Any particles that were on the ground are not in the air. This means sand, animal refuse, ash from old fires, and nuts and berries.
You don’t want to breathe this stuff in, and you also don’t want to push this stuff at your home. If you routinely blow leaves toward your house, you may notice your house becoming dirty much faster.
Also, keep in mind the fumes created by a gas-powered leaf blower. These can be harmful. It’s smart to wear protective gear for your eyes and your lungs. Let’s talk about one more thing to keep in mind.
Avoid Loud Noises and Disturbances with Leaf Blowers
Leaf blowers, even electric ones, are pretty loud. Not only can this damage your hearing over time, but it can also put you on bad terms with the neighbors. Keep this in mind when deciding when and how to leaf blow your grass.
If you can, wear ear protection to mitigate the effects of the noise. Also, if you can, avoid using the leaf blower too often, or using it at odd times, such as the early morning or late at night – this will ensure you don’t annoy any nearby neighbors. Consider the pros and cons of a leaf blower vs. a rake.
Now, let’s go over our final take.
Final Thoughts on Using a Leaf Blower on the Grass
You can use leaf blowers on the grass, whether you’re trying to blow leaves or grass clippings. However, there are some things to keep in mind. First, ensure you have a clear strategy about where you will blow the leaves. Second, have a plan to dispose of the leaves, whether having them picked up by the city, or used as compost.
Also, keep in mind that power-blowing leaves off the grass can have negative effects. For example, you can blow away soil, eroding its nutrients. Also, removing leaves takes away the natural fertilizer for your grass.
Finally, keep in mind that leaf blowers are loud, and they can damage your hearing if you’re not careful, but they can also damage your reputation with the neighbors if you’re not considerate.
Keep some of these things in mind, and you’ll be on your way to having a positive experience when using the leaf blower in your yard.