When is it worth buying a leaf blower and how to use it?
When is it worth buying a leaf blower and how to use it?
The variety of colors on the trees, heralding the arrival of winter, means that we'll soon have more work to do in the garden, which will inevitably be showered with leaves. In the past, rakes were the only way to deal with them, but today, vacuum cleaners and blowers come to our aid.
The idea is simple. A device equipped with an electric or combustion engine generates a rush of air, which, depending on the direction of the draft, can turn it into leaf vacuum cleaner or a blower. In the first case, leaves are sucked into a bag through a nozzle, further shredding them along the way. In the second, a high-velocity air stream blows scattered leaves off the lawn, collecting them in a designated location.
How to use a leaf blower vacuum?
It's best to plan your cleaning on a sunny day, when the leaves are dry and light, which will allow them to flow more easily into the airflow and prevent them from sticking to the nozzle and bag. When operating the device, try not to hold it too close to the ground to avoid sucking up dirt or stones along with the leaves. In cases of limited visibility, such as when cleaning under a spreading shrub, it's a good idea to first blow the leaves out from under the branches, and then, after changing the airflow direction, suck them into the bag.
By choosing the suction option, it's convenient to move around the garden and use the vacuum cleaner in a swinging motion, moving the inlet left and right. This isn't like using traditional vacuum cleaners, but the difference lies in the fact that the NAC blower vacuum doesn't need (and shouldn't) touch the ground while operating.
When blowing leaves, direct them into a common pile, which can then be easily cleaned up. Therefore, you can start at the edges of the garden and work your way in. After using the device, clean it and check that no parts have come loose.
When working in the garden or orchard, let's remember that we are a tiny part of a vast ecosystem. A true nature lover doesn't mow the lawn to the ground or shovel all the leaves into the trash can. A measure of their sense of responsibility for nature is the mounds of foliage left in secluded spots during the winter, where hedgehogs find a cozy refuge! These delightful, defenseless creatures hibernate at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, burrowing into the leaves beforehand. In spring, they will repay us for our care by effectively reducing the population of snails, which are their delicious delicacy.
Electric or petrol leaf blower?
In addition to petrol-powered garden vacuums, electric models are also available, but these are only suitable for small yards where the user is always close to a power outlet. Using extension cords can be problematic, whereas a petrol model is versatile: small, handy, easy to use, and effective, and when not in use, it takes up little space in the garage or closet. The advantage of an electric leaf vacuum, however, is that it doesn't require refilling fuel.
Which leaf vacuum should you choose? The decision should be made after considering what's more important to you: the mobility provided by the lack of a power cord, or the convenience of not having to refill fuel. Power is a crucial factor when choosing a model – the higher the power, the more effective and faster the cleaning will be. The leaf collection bag capacity is also important, especially for larger properties – small bags need to be emptied frequently.
When should you buy a leaf blower? It's not necessarily when your lawn is constantly covered in leaves. A blower vacuum can also remove grass clippings and sand. Their low price makes them a worthwhile addition to almost every household with a driveway and garden.
