Lawn & Garden / Outdoor Equipment

No. The gear drive is opposite that of the push models.

No. You must use pelletized lime with broadcast spreaders.

Handheld leaf blowers are the most popular because they are portable, convenient, and inexpensive. Both gasoline and electric powered models are available. If you have a small yard, they are a good choice, but they can be too heavy to use on a large yard. Backpack leaf blowers are always gas-powered. The blower fits in a harness that you wear on your back, attached to a hose. Backpack blowers are good choices for larger yards. Walk-behind leaf blowers are also gas-powered. They are mounted on wheels and are easy to maneuver. Because they are the most expensive choice for leaf blowers, they are best for very large yards.

Gasoline powered leaf blowers are more powerful, but they also vibrate more and are noisier. Backpack leaf blowers have two-cycle engines, so you need to mix oil and gasoline. Electric blowers are quieter and lighter, and they vibrate less. Some require a cord, which can restrict your movement. Others have rechargeable batteries. These units are the least powerful and are best for small yards and surfaces such as driveways.

There is a quick reference chart in the manual, as well as on the spreader itself. This covers pellet and granular fertilizers, as well as ice melt and grass seed.

If you have your soil tested, you might find that the pH needs to be corrected. If your soil needs lime, this is the time to spread it on and use the rototiller to till it under. The benefits of lime are slow to manifest themselves, so don't wait until spring. Rototilling the lime into the soil in fall will yield benefits in next year's garden.

Yes, so check the noise ordinances in your city. Some cities restrict leaf blower usage to certain times of the day or to maximum decibel levels. Noise level restrictions may be stricter in residential areas than in commercial or industrial areas, and some cities have banned the use of leaf blowers altogether. So be sure to check the laws before you invest in a leaf blower you won't be able to use.

While they are noisy, leaf blowers can do the job in far less time and with far fewer blisters on your hands! They can also sweep your driveway and clear light snow, while some models can mulch or vacuum leaves, and even clean the gutters.