Well, it's not a REAL gem. But it's such a great idea I just had to share it with you all...
You may have noticed that autumn is in full swing... at least it is in the regions that have deciduous trees as one indicator. It's been an amazing autumn with the trees changing color slowly and almost one at a time so we can savor their beauty.
But now the inevitable is happening and those wonderful colors are drifting to the ground and piling up in crunchy layers that are so fun to scuffle through. When the gentle drift began, hubby was able to mow the yard and turn the leaves into mulch to feed the soil for next year's grass. Now, however, the crunchy layer is way too thick for the mower to be able to handle soooooo, it's time to rake. And rake. And rake. Yikes!!
Our first line of city approved disposal (can't burn them at the curb anymore) is a 4' tall can which can be picked and dumped into special city trucks and taken to a land fill or a city mulch location somewhere. Okay, that's good. Monday is pickup day and we had a very full yard waste can.
One of these was picked up yesterday, Monday. But today the back yard is totally full of leaves again. But how could it be, you're thinking... Well, this is why.
Our 100+ year old oak tree.
LOTS of leaves...
Raked up some big piles of leaves.
Today we filled this large can again plus 4 yard waste paper bags.
So what is so special about this? Where is the REAL GEM???
Here it is... Plastic leaf scoops to hold in your hand.
But first you need yard waste bags opened to receive the leaves. This is the only way I have found to easily open one of those huge bags.
Now, back to the leaf scoops: Slip them over your hand; pick up a huge bunch of leaves with the scoops; put leaves in open bag; scrunch the leaves down with the same scoops because they fit perfectly into the bags; grab another bunch and repeat until the bag is full.
Oh yes, and while you're raking, you always find a bunch of sticks. So gather them up. Take them inside and enjoy a lovely fire in your fireplace knowing the leaves are taken care of (for today at least).
Rest up this evening to be ready for more leaf raking and stuffing tomorrow. Enjoy! And try to find some of those leaf scoops. They are a big help.