Question
QUESTION: I live in Hendersonville, NC and have a LOT of leaves to remove from my lawn each fall.  I'd like to use them as mulch and compost, so what's the best method of shredding them?  Is a mulching mower a good option?  I have an older mower that I'll be replacing soon, so if I can get a mower that will also effectively mulch a large amount of leaves, that would probably be the most cost-effective route?  There will be some small twigs in the leaves I rake up from the lawn so I'm guessing that leaf vacuums won't work; ditto for low-powered hopper type leaf shredders?

ANSWER: Paul:

I agree with your analysis of leaf vacuums and mulchers.  Vacuums are meant for small, level, well manicured areas.  If you have this type of lawn, it could be useful.

A mulch bag on a small mower in a yard with lots of trees will keep you busy emptying the bag.  I did see a neigbor with a Snapper size/type riding mower with a large bag on the back.  It was effective and required only a few trips to the pile.  Still not for a large lawn with lots of trees.

Whatever machine you buy, make sure it has plenty of horsepower for this use.  Push mower 5 hp.  Riding - depends on mower width, 12 - 15 plus hp.

I am a lazy landscaper.  My method is to use the natural mulching action of the mower.  Instead of mowing outside to the center, in the fall, I start in the center and blow everything to the beds and off the drive.  This method takes several passes in deep leaves, but the size of the pieces is ideal for mulch and done without extra labor and handling.  Just an idea.

Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What do you think of a stationary leaf mulcher like the Flowtron units for this application?  Or a lawn vacuum that shreds leaves?  Or a stationary chipper/shredder that chips small branches and shreds leaves?

On thing I didn't mention in my previous question is that I have a fairly large stand of trees and bushes in my front yard that is mulched, not grassy and the ground is fairly uneven so I don't think I could use a mulching mower in that area.  I'd have to rake up the leaves by hand and carry them to a lawn area to mulch them with a mower.

Answer
Paul:

I would say that the choice is yours to make.  If you can stand hours of feeding leaves to a stationary shredder, the Flowtron prices sound reasonable.

On the other hand, a leaf vacuum will shred or break up the leaves somewhat if they are dry.  And you will have to unload fewer times, reducing handling.

Frankly, I do not mind having leaves as mulch on tree beds.  If the appearance is unsightly, I can add other mulch on top of them after fall.  But, again, I am a lazy landscape maintenance man.

Best wishes.