On a lighter but rantier note...

[ewt]

Leafblowers:

WHY?

Ugh. Stupid.

Comments

[gafferbear.livejournal.com]

One of my neighbors has an almost-silent electric leafblower which he charges on a solar panel. I have no objections.

I have, OTOH, written several letters requesting that the loud petroleum-based two-stroke (noise AND air pollution, all in one senseless tool!) blowers used by the landscaping companies hired by my landlord be removed from use; and that we used to use rakes.

For the objection that leaves don't compost well, there are a variety of things to be done, mostly by adding favorable bacteria to your compost pile. Should take care THAT.

For anyone who considers raking backbreaking:

PAY YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN TO RAKE YOUR LAWN.
My parents insisted this is "What Children Are For".
You'd be amazed at what a couple of kids will do, and well, for two dollars apiece.