I used to spend every October weekend raking, bagging, and raking some more. My back hated me, and the pile always looked like I had barely started.

Then my dad showed me the tarp trick, and now I can clear a whole yard in about thirty minutes, no blower, no screaming engine.

Rake Onto a Tarp, Not Into a Pile

Lay a large tarp flat on the grass. Rake the leaves onto the tarp as you go. When it is full, grab two corners and drag the whole load to the curb or compost pile. The leaves move in one trip instead of a dozen wheelbarrow loads.

Use the Mower for the Big Stuff

If your yard is buried, run the lawn mower over the leaves with the bag attached. The mower shreds and collects at the same time. Shredded leaves break down faster in compost, and you collect three times more per bag because they are chopped up.

Mulch What You Can

Leaves are free fertilizer. Mow without the bag once or twice and leave the shreds on the lawn. Mulched leaves feed the grass over winter and disappear by spring. I stopped bagging the back yard entirely and my lawn looks better for it.

Do Not Wait Until They All Fall

Raking every week is a waste of effort. Wait until about three quarters of the leaves have dropped, then clean up once. You do the job fewer times and the grass gets more light in between.

Two tarps, one mower pass, done. October is for pumpkin bread now, not back pain.