Leaf Rakes, Blowers/Vacuums and Shredders
Fall Leaf Clean-up Help
By Marie Iannotti, About.com Guide ...
Shredders and chippers
A chipper or shredder is an investment-expect to spend at least $150 for a small shredder and in the thousands of dollars for a heavy-duty commercial machine.
Shredder-chippers and even lawn mowers are good tools for this purpose.
Mix and build a pile.
Shredders are available as both petrol and electrical models. These shred garden
waste prior to composting. Chippers on the other hand pulverise woody material and
are best hired in rather than purchased.
A shredder is the ideal way of chopping up material, but if you cannot afford one, there is another way to shred organic waste, by using the rotary mower. However, this method is only really practical for light prunings or for dry leafy material.
LEAF SHREDDERS/POWER BLOWERS
They may look like ordinary hand-held leaf vacuums or blowers, but this new genre of products features powerful shredding systems that reduce yard waste to one-twelfth its original volume.
Chipper/Shredders
Do not stand in front of the discharge shoot while loading or operating a chipper/shredder.
If the machine becomes jammed, turn it off and wait for all moving parts to stop before attempting to fix it.
Chipper-Shredder -- Taking mulching one step further, the walk-behind chipper-shredder allows for collection of small branches, twigs and leaves.
Chippers and shredders for every size and type of garden (and gardener) are available. Several electric models are available that boast light weight, quiet operation, and low cost.
This electric shredder quickly reduces a pile of leaves.
Shredded leaves are my top choice for raw organic matter. Use a leaf shredder if you have one. We offer both a stationary leaf shredder, and a portable vacuum/shred model.
This year, consider renting a chipper/shredder with your neighbors and having a neighborhood mulch party. Give everyone plenty of notice so they can stockpile their trimmings, and pick a day well in advance of the onset of fall rains.
A compost tumbler and wood chipper/shredder are useful in a larger garden. A compost tumbler is a nice tool if you make your own compost. Turning the compost becomes less of a workout with the turn of a handle.
Deluxe Electric Leaf Shredder: Don't drag bags of leaves to the curb, then pay to have them hauled away. The Deluxe Shredder converts leaves into one tidy bag of nutritious mulch.
Related Articles
Invigorate your garden with native plants ...
But leaf blowers, limb shredders, power hedge trimmers and other noisy juggernauts? C'mon! Slow Gardeners' self-esteem isn't tied up in power shows, we just want to get the job done and enjoy doing it.
From compost bins, rain barrels and chipper shredders, to various other environmentally friendly accessories, our products are constructed from 100% recycled materials, and are available in many different attractive designs.
Several different models of shredders and chippers are available for sale or rental to use in shredding woody materials and leaves. It is a good idea to wear safety goggles when doing any type of shredding or chopping activity.
The production of leafmould can be accelerated by putting the leaves through a garden shredder.
SHREDDED ALFALFA HAY is one of the secrets of great compost. It is worth it to rent a shredder for the weekend, and shred up a few bales of alfalfa hay. Worms thrive on it, and it provides the best mulch and soil additive for your garden soil.
perennial weeds, e.g. dandelions
weed seeds
whole woody stems like rose prunings, although, if you have a shredder, you can use them, just shred them well and mix them in.
meat products - they might attract rats
leaves from trees ...
Woody material like prunings and Brussels sprout stems. These need to be put through a shredder first
Uncooked vegetable trimmings, peelings and tea bags from the kitchen
Synthetic fabrics ...
You can buy a chipper/shredder to shred your leaves or you can use a rotary mower. Begin by raking the leaves into a thick carpet about 6-8" deep. (If you try to mow a pile of leaves, the mower will stall.) ...
The garbage disposal is undoubtedly the most used tool in the kitchen, but with so much use comes many common problems. The powerful disposal motor usually powers a flywheel against a shredder.
I've tried a variety of methods and materials for making bedding over the years and brown paper or paper bags shredded in a paper shredder is my favourite way to go.
Fall lawn care should include raking and picking up all leaves to avoid lawn diseases during the colder months. Leaves can also be mulched into compost for your grass. If you have a large lawn, invest in a mulcher and bagging unit or leaf shredder ...
a wide range of mulch materials, but remember that it is very important to apply a generous deep layer of mulch, so don't be tempted to spread it too thin. If your garden provides you with lots of prunings throughout the year, invest in a shredder ...
The best winter mulches are fluffy organic ones like leaves, hay, straw, and evergreen boughs. If you use leaves chop them with a shredder or lawn mower. The chopped leaves will offer good insulation and are less likely to blow around.
Go together with several neighbors to purchase a pricey tool that you can all share, such as a chipper/shredder, snowblower, or chain saw.
Use your landscape to save on grocery bills.
 See also: Plant, Compost, Gardening, Mulch, Lawn
|
