I was holding off posting this as didn’t want to sound like I’m moaning about the professionalism of some gardeners, however I have just finished on a site where the gardeners have been blowing through a private estate, 5 hours they were blowing and not once did they stop to pick up a leaf, the only stops they did were to refuel. What is going through their minds, all they did was blow leaves on to adjacent drives, under hedges, and out onto the main road. This makes me sooooo angry, bunch of bloody cowboys, no wonder I get so many questions when I work with a back pack blower as to what happens with the leaves, do you just blow them around? NO WE PICK THEM UP.... lazy buggers.......!!!!!!!
Anyway, Rant over. Please if your going to use a blower, do not over use the machine and stop blowing the leaves out onto main roads, they just blow back and it’s totally unprofessional.
many thanks
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Replies
Hi Harry, How you going, fella.
Yeah, it annoys me too. Especially when I've cleared my area and the neighbours just think they are ok to blow the leaves in their garden on to the road. There the cars will simply blow them everywhere, including the bit I have done. I know many landscapers hate clearing leaves but I actually enjoy the job as the effect is instant, (unless it is windy)!
There is more to it than just that though. Obviously I didn't see these people in question, but blowing leaves under hedges is a valid process where they are likely to remain largely in place and break down. In terms of the road, was there genuinely large volumes of leaves blown onto the road? Or just "side" blowings?
I don't pick up every leaf I reposition with the blower. Many gardens have "sinks" where you can blow leaves. Some of them do need a clear out every few months. This could be areas under trees, hedges, rough/waste ground etc. More often than not I'm blowing them onto lawns before mowing.
It comes down to value for money, and client requirements.
i like to blow most of them under the bushes following the prevailing wind direction, one client queried this saying couldn't i suck them up with my machine. I explained that the leaves are in fact a valuable mulch, the shrubs would benefit, it helps keep the weeds down, plus my time is your money, etc. I use the Ego 5800E for most jobs or the Stihl BGA100 for bigger jobs as I have 3 of the battery back packs. Largely eliminating the loud droning noise of conventionally fueled machines upsetting the neighbours. If some need to be blown in the road then so be it. If anybody moans I just point at the huge trees opposite and tell them they're not OUR leaves lol
seen some gardening firms make noise with blowers blowing lawns I mean I find that a bit daft unless full of leaves contuallly blowing lawns no scarfying nothing .. , i guess they think make noise and put bill through ... bad.
This is why I started my own business up. Was sick of working for companies that charged a premium and cut corners.
All my jobs blowing start at the driveway/gate etc and get blown into the garden. They get blown into piles and collected. The blowing under hedges etc doesn't work as if wind switches they come straight back out. If charging a premium do the job properly
Hi Harry,
It's a tough one to call without knowing the contract situation. Could be that the client wont pay for picking up and removing either. I am on your side as to cleaning a garden, but I have clients who prefer shall we say the natural look of mother nature.
Personally I can see both sides. My personal view is; if there is a "mother natures carpet" available, and the leaf fall is an applicable size, use it.
If there is an excess of leaves and the finished look is a "bulge" of leaves showing under the shrubs/hedgerow etc, pick em up.
In my opinion we're all capable/professional enough to make a judgement call on such a decision.