Because that’s what you’re supposed to do, right? Do not twist your body, or sweep to the … Furthermore, you also need to consider the overall quantity of leaves you anticipate falling in your yard throughout the season. Avoid injuring yourself by stretching first. The scraping and raking of leaves stirs up dirt, dust, mold, and pollen into the air. I helped my friend rake leaves (and they weren't raked before the snow flew) so it was a mess. Rake your leaves (and how not to strain your back) If you do decide to rake all your lawn or just a portion of it, there are best practices to follow. She lives on a corner lot so it took us 2.5 hours. You can remove lawn thatch at the same time by using the proper method. Raking leaves is a great way to get outside and do some light exercise. SAN FRANCISCO -- Trees across the country are showing the first signs of fall as leaves begin changing from green to brown. Raking leaves off the grass at the right time is critical to doing the job correctly. Position the other hand three- quarters of the way down the handle. So yes, it’s OK to leave the leaves. You can do this with a mulching mower, shredder or leaf blower on the vacuum setting. Bags of leaves often end up in landfills. Raking leaves can be used to introduce them to environmental science. Trees across the Triangle are showing the first signs of fall as leaves begin changing from green to brown. Then you remove the leaves and they don't have a chance to return there nutrients to the soil. Most people rake their lawns because they were taught that a covering of leaves will suffocate it. Making leaf mold needs a bit of space to turn it into compost, but the magic can be done in a leaf bin or in black trash bags. Here’s what can happen when a person who is prone to sinusitis dutifully rakes up those leaves. Using proper body mechanics when raking, as well as performing other chores around the house, can greatly reduce back pain, strain and other injuries. Purdue University consumer horticulture specialist Rosie Lerner says that composting leaves is the most eco-friendly alternative to burning. However, it can also mean tired, aching muscles or even a back injury that could put you out of commission for days. It also can be strenuous work. Discussing the benefits of leaf mold for gardens and cultivating plants can help kids understand nature’s regeneration cycle. Common symptoms include itchy… Instead, move your legs. Rake wet leaves carefully to avoid slipping and falling. So why in God’s green earth would you want to add to the misery by spending your weekends raking leaves? Copyright © 2020 WTVD-TV. However, Waltz is not a fan … You can never get them all and god help you if there are bushes and shit you have to clean out too. Posture: It is critical to maintain proper posture when raking leaves. Leaving your leaves could save you money: "Leaves are nature's natural mulch and fertilizer," Mizejewski said. • Mow them a few times to make the pieces really small. Yeah, man, this is the beginning to some rather dark days. Having the right gear and the right form can help you avoid physical problems associated with raking. All Rights Reserved. We started out using our hands, then it dawned on us how long it was going to take doing it that way. Aside from some … Here are a few elements that you should consider to avoid getting injured or sick: Wear several layers of clothing that you can take off or put back on to avoid getting overheated or too cold. "When you rake all the leaves away, … COVID-19 updates: Coronavirus 3rd leading cause of death in Santa Clara Co. Pfizer to supply 100 million more COVID-19 vaccine doses to the US, LIST: Best drive-by holiday light displays in Bay Area, Nationwide nursing shortage hits CA, Bay Area hospitals, COVID-19 reaches Antarctica, last untouched continent, Bay Area guide to takeout, delivery holiday dinners, Find out how many people may get a COVID-19 vaccine before you, Only 1 CA region not under stay-at-home order, COVID-19 holiday risk: The safest and most dangerous activities, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. If this doesn’t make you sick, I don’t know what will. The safe way to rake leaves is to let your arms and legs do the work. The easiest way to avoid injuring yourself while raking leaves is to make sure you warm-up before you start. Often, raking is enough to clear the soil, but you may also have to pull or dig up stubborn roots. Reducing exposure to spores is the best way to avoid symptoms. From an early age, our fathers showed us that keeping the lawn perfectly manicured is just one of the burdens of being a man. It's good for the lawn. “If you just leave your leaves on the grass, those leaves hold moisture and facilitate the likelihood of disease," he says. Here are a few tips that can make raking leaves into a workout you can be proud of. “Don’t rake vigorously and deep. Copyright © 2020 WTVD-TV. Reduce your workload by raking the leaves onto a large tarp. The dirt, dust, mold, and pollen triggers allergy and asthma symptoms like swelling of nasal membranes. “Thank you for your great question +jshelt22! ... and had only traveled to the vacation home to “rake leaves.” No … By switching your lead arm frequently you can help alleviate this problem. In that case, you might have to rake a little every day or two just to make sure you don't fall behind on leaf removal. Raking leaves is an activity that takes time and energy. Bagging large piles of leaves is a time-consuming task. It can stir agitating pollen and mold into the air, causing allergy and asthma symptoms. Wrong. Knowing some handy tricks can make … Your inhale those contaminates in through your nose. Raking leaves for money is a BAD idea, IMO. Then you have a chance of growing snow mold, which is a pink or gray fungal disease that can attack your grass. Mold can trigger troublesome symptoms for the allergic. Dry leaves alone will take a long time to break down, she says, but mixing in green plant materials, such as grass trimmings, will speed up the process. I live on a postage stamp sized piece of land and I am still raking leaves about 5 times in the fall and I … Do not decide that you are going to go out and handle a large accumulation of leaves in one shot. "Raking leaves and leaves coming down releases all of that in the outside environment," Ginn explained. While you are raking leaves, most people stand stationary and just use their arms. Consider purchasing a rake with a design especially for removing wet leaves if you must rake a large amount from your yard. The Simplest Strategy for Raking Leaves Sure, raking leaves is a chore, but it will be less taxing if you learn how to do it efficiently and safely—and try to have some fun while you're at it. It's ignorant. Raking leaves with a shovel is something I had never done until this past spring. For instance, large yards with a lot of deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves) pose a bigger cleanup challenge than other yards. That is usually not the case, unless you have a bed of leaves covered by mounds of snow all winter. Mold can trigger troublesome symptoms for the allergic. At least 1 dead in crash on I-40 near airport, Memo prompts confusion over legality of to-go cocktails in NC, Attorney says he's suing Raleigh HOA over Christmas cross debacle, FORECAST: Severe weather possible on Christmas Eve, WCPSS teacher brings cheer to students by dressing as Elf on the Shelf, Small businesses prepare for late Christmas shopping push, LATEST: NC reaches new record COVID-19 hospitalizations, Trump threatens COVID-19 relief over stimulus check amount, Cumberland officials worry about post-Christmas COVID-19 surge, Chapel Hill man, 88, found dead after wife wakes up to him missing, COVID-19 reaches Antarctica, last untouched continent, Durham Rescue Mission gives back at end of rough year for many. Environmental experts say raking leaves and removing them from your property is bad not only for your lawn but for the planet as a whole. Hold the rake slightly toward the end of the handle with one hand. Raking is a repetitive motion that can exhaust your muscles. Pace yourself. But for allergy sufferers, raking presents its own problem. “Raking leaves is considered moderate physical activity, similar to a brisk walk”, according to Barbara Ainsworth, an exercise epidemiologist at San Diego State University. "Raking leaves and leaves coming down releases all of that in the outside environment," Ginn explained. ... You can be sure that the coverage of this act by the corrupt news media will be indefensible as well, and there will be no price to be paid for that. Wait for the full fall: Before you reach for your rake, wait for the full fall of leaves. The leaves fall and normally would return to the soil. … This is perhaps the most important thing to do when raking leaves, as with the wrong rake, no matter how careful or diligent you are, there’s a chance you won’t be able to get the job gone or, worse yet, do your lawn harm. Warm up before starting raking the leaves: take a walk around the yard, effectuate circular movements of your arms and torso and some gentle stretches of the body. Your stance should be grounded with your feet wide apart. 3. I mow that shit several times into a fine mulch. * Pesky Leaves - Some folks might find it difficult to keep up with raking leaves throughout the autumn. • Wet down the leaves when you rake them into your garden—or put them all in a pile and cover with a tarp. Fallen Leaves Make Good Compost . For instance, the type of rake you use can make things easier and not tear up the lawn. When dealing with leaves you want to select a lawn or leaf rake, making sure its head has a good spread of tines that are angled so that they won’t damage your lawn. If the leaves are large and not too numerous, you can use a leaf blower to move them to the side. The tree takes nutrients from the soil and makes leaves. All Rights Reserved. Bay Area weather forecast looks wet, These 13 people defined the Bay Area in 2020, Smaller crowds this year for last dash of holiday shopping. Just look at nature. Chart Your Fitness Progress. This will reduce the risk of back pain that … Raking the leaves might keep your lawn healthy and neat, but it can create environmental issues, depending on what you do with those raked leaves. While you can sometimes wait for the leaves to dry, you may have to remove them from your landscape. Piles of color now line many sidewalks and yards, and doctors say there could be a potent allergen hiding in the fall foliage. Piles of color now line many sidewalks and yards, and doctors say there could be a potent allergen hiding in the fall foliage. Improper stance and posture can be damaging to your body, especially your back. Raking leaves is for noobs. Will it rain on Christmas? However, by employing a few techniques, the work doesn’t have to be that difficult and it might even be fun. 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