When assembling an arsenal of tools for taking care of your garden, don’t forget to add a leaf blower as well. Leaf blowers are quite practical garden tools that can be used in a variety of clean-up tasks around your property. Although you may think that such a tool does only one job, in fact, you can use it for various things besides cleaning leaves and dirt in your yard.
If you’ve already decided to get such a tool, you’d be surprised that the leaf blower online market is abundant with models. So, let’s first take a quick look a the most important factors to consider when buying. And afterwards, we will move onto how to prepare your new tool and all the different tasks you can accomplish with it.
How to Choose a Leaf Blower
Be sure to pick one that would work best for the size of your yard, budget and of course your needs. Electric leaf blowers are quite easy to use. You either plug them in the power outlet or simply switch them on if they are battery charged. If you have a spacious yard or no power outlets outside, it’s best to go for a battery-operated too.
There are also gas-powered leaf blowers. Although initially more expensive, they are usually more durable as they have fewer running parts. Also, operating them is less expensive than in the case of electrical blowers. Because they use gas, these blowers let out fumes which can be uncomfortable when using them.
These are just the basic things to consider when seeking a leaf blower online or at local garden supply stores.
How to Prepare Your Tool
Using an electrical blower requires little to no preparation. You only need to plug it in if it’s corded. If it’s cordless, make sure that the batteries are full and recharge it if necessary. On the other hand, gas leaf blowers are trickier.
A gas leaf blower has a bulb (it’s called a primer) so when you push it several times, you’re putting a bit of fuel in it. Press the bulb 3-8 times and the engine is primed.
Once you set your leaf blower on, adjust the engine choke, pull the starter rope and that’s it – the engine will start. In case the weather is cold, and you pull more than ten times (and the engine still doesn’t start), you might have flooded the engine. Simply let it rest for fifteen minutes, and then try again.
When it comes to weather, be sure to use your leaf blower when the weather is nice. Avoid blowing leaves when it’s raining, or if it rained recently and the ground is wet. No matter how hard you try, wet leaves won’t blow well. Also, be sure that the wind works for you (not against you). If you want to blow leaves to the edge, be sure you don’t do so when the wind is blowing in the opposite direction. It would be just futile work.
Cleaning Leaves
The main thing people buy leaf blowers is to clean leaves, obviously. When cleaning the leaves, first determine where you want your pile, and then walk as far back as you intend on blowing. Work your way from outside in. Swing it from side to side in an even manner (it’s best at medium speed). Work until the leaves are piled up.
Of course, you can’t blow every single leaf, but that is all right. The majority of leaves will be cleaned successfully. Be careful when blowing the leaves near flowerbeds. You may damage the gentle plants or flowers with the fast stream of air, and you may destroy the mulch in your yard. In case you must use the leaf blower near a flowerbed, be sure to set it on the lowest setting.
Gutter Cleaning
Gutters should be cleaned well (especially when it rains and the water has no place to go) to avoid flooding. During the cold months, rainwater can collect and form icicles that can break your guttering. Use a leaf blower to clean the gutter and keep your hands clean. Some leaf blower models come with a specially designed “gutter cleaning kit”.
Snow Blowing
Cleaning snow is not fun at all, but when you have to do it, you have to do it. Leaf blowers can be of great use in such cases as they can double as a snowblower if you don’t have one. Of course, these tools aren’t snow blowers and don’t have the same power, but they still can do a pretty good job. You can clean soft snow off the driveway and the path in front of your house.
Also, you can successfully clean the snow off the top of your car. Be sure to clean the snow properly (use the leaf blower only to make things easier for cleaning afterwards). If there is powdery snow on your tires, you can use blow it as well.
Drying Your Car
Washing your car at home can save you time and money. If you need to quickly dry your vehicle and waste no time waiting for it to air dry, the leaf blower can be your solution. Although small, it can help dry the drops on the windshield and the windows. It’s also a great way to prevent the dirty spots that occur from natural air drying. When doing this, be sure to wear older clothes, since things can get messy. Make sure to do this before you use your car (not very smart to leaf blow your vehicle in your business suit).
