A rant about leaf blowers. Just stop with them. Gas ones spew CO2 and particulates at an alarming rate, they’re the definition of noise pollution, and they disturb insect habitat under your hedges. But they’re also just not that good at getting leaves together. Here’s the thing that no blower guy will tell you, but every SE Asian grandma knows: the best way to get leaves off your hard surfaces is this tool right here. 1/3 #gardening#GardeningMastodon#insects#biodiversity#Autumn#FallColors
Leaf blowers are the perfect tool for macho guy landscapers because they make it look like you’re doing Hard, Important, Definitely Man’s Work. These dudes wouldn’t be caught dead with a broom because sweeping up is Women’s Work and definitely not worthy of a Manly Man getting paid Man’s Wages.
2/4 #gardening#GardeningMastodon#insects#biodiversity#Autumn#FallColors#LeafBlowers#LeaveTheLeaves
But by the time you check the oil/fuel mix, mess with the choke, troubleshoot, change batteries, plug in cords, dance around the driveway spewing CO2 at like nine hard-to-get leaves, grandma there is already done with sweeping and moved on to something else. Also, sweeping and raking are good for your abs.
3/4 #gardening#GardeningMastodon#insects#biodiversity#Autumn#FallColors#LeafBlowers#LeaveTheLeaves
By the way, these are the best kind of broom for outdoors. They’re stiff enough to scrape up wet leaves and won’t scratch your driveway like metal rakes. They don’t have the springiness of synthetic or “corn” brooms so the leaves go where you shove them and stay there. Aside from the plastic ferrule the whole thing is biodegradable. They last four or five years of regular use.
4/4 #gardening#GardeningMastodon#insects#biodiversity#Autumn#FallColors#LeafBlowers#LeaveTheLeaves
The great blue herons have figured out where the trout are stocked. They line up with the anglers to catch fish, but they do not practice catch and release.