The Easy DIY Lawn Tool That Can Help Tackle A Yardful Of Fall Leaves

For many of us, raking the lawn is a central aspect of our autumn yard maintenance routine. Even as more people learn the environmental benefits of letting fall foliage naturally break down as it lies, the "leave the leaves" approach isn't for everyone. Traditionalists still appreciate the value of a tidy yard for keeping the grass healthy, preventing critters in the lawn, and generally making the property look its best. The biggest issue, of course, is the work involved. The leaves don't stop coming, and although you may want your yard to be pristine, it's a pain having to constantly pull out the rake and attend to those stragglers sullying the look of the lawn. To manage these frequent leaf cleanups without wasting your time or breaking your back, you may find the perfect addition to your yard care arsenal in one simple DIY lawn tool.

YouTuber @divyapalepu shows how a long-handled stick with pins on the end can make leaf cleanup quick and effortless, saving you from bending down to manage the litter. While you can always buy a trash picker like the Frebuta pickup tool, making one from scratch only takes a few minutes and costs virtually nothing. If you have a wooden stick and some pins or nails, you can knock out the build and make your raking chores easier right now!

To make your leaf picker, you only need to attach one to two pins into the end of a wooden stick. A dowel rod can work, or you could repurpose old garden equipment like a shovel or another long-handled tool. Cut the handle to a comfortable length, leaving one end flat so the prongs can easily stick in. To make the prongs, hammer nails into the end of the handle and grind the heads to make the exposed end sharp. You could also cap the stick's end with a keyhole bracket hanger, inserting pins/nails in the side holes and screwing the bracket into the stick. You can also DIY this. Simply cut a slice off the end of your stick, and drill two pilot holes into the piece where you'll insert the pins. With the pins/nails installed, reattach the piece to the stick, adhering it with wood glue or a screw.

Though straightforward, this DIY entails a few key considerations. To start, select long pins. As you pick leaves, they'll move down the prong until it's full. Longer pins provide more space, letting you grab more debris before you have to clear it off. You can further improve your efficiency and prevent hand slips and blisters with well-fitting, grippy gloves. And when it's time to put the leaf picker away, just cap the prongs with foam for safe storage. Making and using this handy lawn tool couldn't be easier, and its everyday benefits will guarantee a better-looking yard with less effort!