I Swear by the "Grid Method" for Raking Leaves in My Yard (And So Do Pros)

"While shoveling snow may be the backbreaking chore of wintertime, leaf raking takes the (pumpkin-flavored) cake for fall. And if your usual method is to push all of the leaves into one massive pile in your yard, I'm sorry to tell you you've been doing it all wrong - especially if you have a big yard. I prefer the grid method, a simple yet surprisingly effective way to tackle fall foliage."

"The grid method breaks your lawn into smaller, manageable sections. Skye Durrant, cofounder of LawnGuru, a platform that connects homeowners with top-tier landscaping pros, and a lawncare provider himself with nearly 20 years of experience, recommends working in about 8-square-foot sections. As you rake each section, you gather the leaves into a small pile within that zone. By the time you're finished, your yard is dotted with neat piles arranged in columns and rows across the grass."

"The idea is to make the work more efficient and less physically demanding. Not only does this method save time and energy, but it also makes raking feel less like an all-day ordeal. "You can knock out a grid or two and then pick up where you left off later," Durrant says. Because your movements are shorter and more controlled, it's also easier on your back and legs."

The grid method breaks a lawn into roughly 8-square-foot sections. Rake each section into a small pile, creating a pattern of neat piles arranged in columns and rows across the grass. Homeowners can bag each pile as they go or rake all piles first and bag later, keeping wind conditions in mind. The approach reduces long sweeping motions, shortens movements, and allows intermittent work by completing a grid or two at a time. The method saves time and energy, reduces strain on the back and legs, and works for most yards except very small ones.

Read at Apartment Therapy