5 Steps to Faster Fall Yard Work: This Weekend

1. Rake or blow leaves into long, narrow windrows. Resistance to movement increases dramatically with size, so don't make gigantic leaf piles.

2. When you're done with power equipment that you plan to reuse the next day, move its choke to the Start position. If it has a rocker or toggle ignition switch, set it to On; that prevents you from accidentally flooding a machine by pull-starting it without its proper settings engaged (not uncommon when you're sore, tired and in a hurry the next day).

3. Leave work gloves, safety glasses and ear protection hanging with machines or tools that you will use. It keeps you from hunting 'em down.

4. Cut back low-hanging branches that interfere with yard work. You've probably been meaning to do it for years. Now's the time.

5. Prep the lawn mower for leaf mulching:

  • If your grass is tall and lush, set the mower deck to its highest setting.
  • If your grass is dry and brittle, you can set it a notch down from the highest setting, but don't cut fall grass too low. It needs as much leaf height as possible to drive its fall photosynthesis.
  • Clean the machine's air filter, because it's going to get mighty dusty. Clean it again midway through the job.
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