As autumn winds its way toward winter, more and more leaves are falling from the trees. To keep your lawn orderly and healthy, it’s time to rake. If you don’t have the right tools or technique, you might inadvertently be making the job harder for yourself. Here’s a closer look at what hardware you’ll need and how you can make your raking more effective.

3 Tips for Easy Raking This Fall

1. Wear a Respirator or Dust Mask

If you experience fall allergies, raking can stir up pollen and other debris that may cause an allergy flare-up. Even if you don’t, the excess dust floating around can irritate nasal passages and make breathing more difficult. Before you start raking, visit your local hardware store and pick up a sanding mask or safety respirator.

2. Find the Right Rake

Using a rake that doesn’t fit your height or grip could result in poor posture and extra strain on your body. Test rakes at the hardware store and make sure they’re long enough for you to comfortably grasp.

Select your rake based on what type of debris will be falling on your lawn, too. If you get a lot of leaves mixed with evergreen needles, a steel rake will perform better than a plastic one. High volumes of dry leaves are easier to tackle with a wide-head plastic rake.

Leaf scoops are also helpful for picking up the leaves you just picked up.As the name suggests, their primary function is to gather fallen leaves. In addition to that, they can be used to clear and gather grass clippings and lawn debris. You will find them especially handy when you need to do a final sweep in your garden or yard.

3. Work With Your Yard, Not Against It

If your property slopes, you’ll find it’s much easier to rake downhill. Similarly, if there’s a wind blowing, rake with it instead of against it. Otherwise, you might waste time chasing runaway leaves and having to rake certain areas two or three times.

Finally, instead of consolidating all the leaves into one big pile, rake in rows. When you’re finished, transport the leaves to a compost pile with a wheelbarrow.

Whether you need a new rake, wheelbarrow, or other hardware in Ashland, MO, visit Sentinel Lumber & Hardware. They provide high-quality building materials, fence posts, portable buildings, and pole barn kits. If you have any questions about their inventory, call (573) 657-2164. Learn more about the company online.