Can you smell that? It’s the smell of fall hitting the Blue Ridge Mountains at long last! The leaves are changing, so be sure to head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway before the winds pick up too much and the trees lose their color. We have talked about not allowing leaves to stay on the ground for too long, especially after a heavy rain, and the best removal is your old friend, the rake.

It’s best to try to choose a raking day that is not particularly blustery. The added wind will not help as you are trying to gather leaves in a central location to prepare for removal. If you don't have much of a choice of the day when you have time to complete this yard work, try to work with the wind and not against it. You might even consider utilizing a tarp or alternative covering, not only to catch the leave, but also to keep your leaf pile in place while you continue to work.

Patience is key when raking. Fall can be a frustrating time to keep your lawn clean and neat looking. Make sure that the tools you're using are working with you and not against you. Maybe you’ve had your current rake for 20 years and it has never failed you, but that doesn’t mean that it’s the most effective tool. There are tools on the market currently such as a power rake... and even push powered leaf collectors!

In the same vein, make sure you’re listening to your body as you embark on a day of yard work. Hunching over to rake can be hard on your back!

It’s much easier to get leaves up and collected when the weather is dry, so perhaps consider raking if you know that rain is in the forecast to save yourself the frustration of wet raking.

We also suggest making it fun! Employ the use of younger family members to help you move quicker. The end result is a clean lawn for you, and a fun leaf pile for them to enjoy before you bag it up; it’s a win-win situation!