OT: Leaf removal

The bi issue is that I want to keep the cost to a minimum.

The guy I bought my Woods mower from, went for a new Kubota O turn. He tells me it wont mulch like the Woods did. It could be his speed, I don't think I've ever seen him under 25 mph with that O turn. Sometimes it just takes a bit more time to do quality yard work.

Snow plowing is much the same around here except we see a link to country of origin or ethnic background. We have a large population of Portuguese, these guys manicure snow plowing, not so much as a flake out of place. Most former Europeans do what is necessary to keep moving. One exception though, the Dutch just stir the snow, and work on the principle it melts faster the more you stir. I'll pay for this.

I can readily see what drives the leaf and clipping raking business. Most of the mowers on the market don't mulch very well. Couple that with the fact most folks scalp their grass, leaving nothing to hold the mulch. Scalping the grass all summer dries out the top soil, gives weeds an excellent chance to establish. Then, rather than fertilize to make healthy grass, they water it to compensate for dried out topsoil. A well fertilized lawn will put down a deep root system that will utilize ground water in the soil, even through most dry spells. 4" high grass will hold moisture, shade out weeds and hold the mulch. An application of nitrogen fertilizer will break down the mulch, and a Woods mower will spread the mulch rather than windrow. Continous watering only encourages your grass root system to stay within 2" of the surface, because no one ever applies a 1" rainfall, most not even close.

Here's my solution...

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If you want to get fancy, you can look for an estate rake; it"s like a pinwheel rake only with smaller wheels.