When buying a rake, it pays to also keep a few things in mind. You can just randomly get one and pay for it. Since you'll be spending effort and time with it, you might as well make sure that it fits your needs to a tee.

For example, if you have a history of arthritis or have had surgery, then it will benefit you to get one that is ergonomically designed. A rake that has a comfortable grip is also recommended since raking is a repetitive motion. A comfortable grip will make sure you don't have blisters while doing your tasks.

Choose a rake that has steel fingers. Bamboo-fingered rakes are cheaper but they also break more easily if improperly stored. If you don't have the budget for steel rakes, then a plastic-fingered one will do. While on the subject of rake fingers, get one that is 24 inches wide. Anything smaller will prolong the job while anything larger will strain you.

You can also get the services of several companies who are willing to take care of any lawn cleaning for you for a price. Aside from picking up your leaves, these companies also offer other services like cleaning your lawn from other debris or even mowing them. You can usually search for these companies via the Internet.

When using leaves as a compost material, it is always a good idea to shred them or cut them into little pieces. That way, they will be easier to decompose—a specific issue for larger leaves.

The good thing about composting is that you will be able to use the leaves instead of just throwing them away. If you have a garden, composting will save money on fertilizer as well as contribute to the betterment of the environment.

Leaf-burning is also controlled in most states, with only a specific time allotted for the practice. You will not be able to get rid of the leaves any time that you want. Burning leaves also puts you at risk of being involved with fires, especially if the houses are close to each other.

Leaf blowers are usually hand-held or carried over like backpacks. Power is usually generated through two methods: electricity and gas. When purchasing a leaf blower, consider portability as it will dictate what power source your leaf blower will have. Gas and battery-powered ones are more portable and will be the logical choice if you have a large yard.

Like burning, though, using a leaf blower has its disadvantages. For one, leaf blowers are noisy so if you're in a close neighborhood, you might end up getting angry stares from your neighbors. Gas-powered leaf blowers also contribute to pollution. Finally, leaf blowers spew up molds and allergens in your lawn that may otherwise be clamped down by nature.