What Is A Lawn Vacuum And How Can It Help Improve Your Lawn?

There are many ways to keep your lawn green, flourishing, and clear of seasonal debris. Some methods include more manual, timely, and laborious efforts, while other ways are more efficient and can be done quickly. Whether you're cleaning up fallen leaves this fall, or keeping your garden area tidy year round, using a lawn vacuum might just be the tool you need. It uses suction to collect leaves and other malleable yard debris. Not only can a lawn vacuum make cleaning up leaves easier, but can benefit the grass and curbside appeal of your yard.

But first, you'll want to determine which lawn vacuum will best suit your needs. There are different models, including handheld or backpack varieties, rideable models, push vacuums, and vacuum trailer attachments. If you're working within a small area, trying to reach tight nooks and crannies, or clearing out your flower beds, a handheld or backpack option, like this one from Black+Decker, might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you're clearing a large yard or field, a bigger lawn vacuum with wheels, like a rideable or trailer attachment is probably more preferable. Another thing to keep in mind is the size of the bag that attaches to your vacuum and collects the waste. Smaller models come with smaller bags, which means you're emptying them more frequently, and why they're a good choice for modest spaces. Bigger lawn vacuums can come with large bags that have a door you can open to scoop out the debris and need to  be emptied less often when vacuuming more sizable lawns. 

The best time to vacuum your lawn is when everything is dry. Wet leaves and other yard debris is heavier and harder for the vacuum to suction. Wet material can also make your vacuum bag much heavier, clogging, and stretching the material if not emptied soon enough. Make sure your lawn is free and clear of all possible obstructions, including large branches, rocks, and other debris that might damage or jam your machine. However, there are lawn vacuum models that come with a chipper chute, making it easier to clear your lawn in one go. Some vacuum models can also remove pine cones, pine needles, acorns, and other materials dropped from trees.

Another adjustment you might want to make before you get started vacuuming your lawn is aligning your intake snout with the ground. For more bumpy terrain, you'll want the snout to be lifted higher off the ground to accommodate the unevenness. If your lawn is mostly flat with minimal protuberances, the lowest setting available on your machine will provide the most efficient suction. Once you're ready to go, operate your machine according to the user manual. Let the suction do the work and empty the bag as necessary. Using your lawn vacuum will make cleaning the debris from your lawn swift and easy.

Most lawn vacuums come with all the extra equipment and attachments you might need. But if not, you can likely get them from the same manufacturer. You can get an electric, battery operated, or gas powered lawn vacuum. Gas powered vacuums tend to be louder than electric, so you'll want to use the proper ear protection. Electric lawn vacuums are usually quieter, but you do need to make sure you have long enough extension cords to cover the full length of your yard.

Along with cleaning up organic material in your yard, flower beds, and garden, some lawn vacuums may also provide the ability to suction up trash. You'll want to consult your owner's manual to confirm whether your model has that capability. If so, it can make cleaning up confetti, plastic utensils, and other litter much easier after a party or celebration. 

Using a lawn vacuum will not only remove unwanted debris and potentially litter, it can also improve the health of your lawn and help your grass look greener. The grass and soil need exposure to the sun in order to germinate and grow new grass. Lawn vacuums might also loosen the soil, which can improve drainage and the quality of your lawn. Vacuuming your grass can save you time, help you get into those hard to reach areas, and increase the curb appeal of your overall property.