The leaves are falling; get ready to rake

You could be called the lawn Luddites.

You shun leaf blowers and lawn vacuums, and find satisfaction in the scrape of tines on grass. You're the leaf rakers.

Here are tips on the right equipment, the proper technique and some ideas about what to do with the fruits of your labor -- the leaves.

What feels good

Leaf rakes come in a variety of sizes, but unlike a lawn-mower blade, wider isn't necessarily better, said Jim Maffei, senior product manager for tool maker Ames True Temper in Camp Hill, Pa.

That's because you're the motor, Maffei said. A bigger rake produces more friction with each sweep, he explained, and that additional friction tires you faster.

He recommended choosing a rake based on your strength and what feels good. A medium-size rake - about 24 inches - is best for most people.

Rakes typically have tines made from one of three materials: bamboo, metal or plastic. For many users, Maffei believes a plastic rake is the best choice. It's flexible and lightweight, but it's more durable than bamboo.

Metal rakes are the most durable, and their tines are stiffer than plastic or bamboo. They're a good choice if you rake often, rake mostly wet leaves or will be using the rake to dig down into the grass and remove debris other than leaves.

Maffei said the best handle material is largely a matter of feel. Wood handles provide the most flex, while metal and fiberglass are stronger, he said. Fiberglass tends to be heaviest and wood lightest.

The head should be attached to the handle with a screw or bolt, he said, but a twist-in handle is also acceptable.

Warm up first

Raking is a form of exercise, and like any workout, it's important to warm up and use good form to avoid shoulder and back injuries, said Dr. Herb Alexander, a orthopedic surgeon in Ketchum, Idaho, and a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (See the box for his advice on stretching.)

Wear gloves to avoid blisters, and make sure your rake handle is in good shape so you don't get splinters.

Try to remain as upright as possible when you rake, Alexander said. If you need to bend, do it at the knees, not the waist.

Avoid twisting to throw leaves to the side or over your shoulder. Instead, if you need to move leaves, pick them up, turn and dump, he said.

What about the leaves?

Bob Rensel, a gardener at Cleveland Botanical Garden, suggests using leaves to fertilize your grass by running over them with a mower a few times to chop them up. If your leaf carpet isn't too thick, you can just leave the bits on the lawn to work their way into the soil. If you have a lot of leaves, remove the excess so it doesn't smother the grass.

The excess leaves can be spread a couple of inches thick on planting beds to moderate soil temperature in winter.

Composting your leaves is a good option, Rensel said.

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