How to Use a Garden Vacuum and What You Need to Know

How to Use a Garden Vacuum

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A garden vacuum may not be an item you have ever thought about purchasing before. However, once you have checked out how an item such as a vacuum can be used, you may change your mind very well.

Why Not a Leaf Blower?

Just before we dive into garden vacuums, let’s address the issue of a leaf blower, as that may be something you are more familiar with and considering buying.

The problem with a leaf blower is that you are blowing things into a pile. So it would be best if you hoped that the wind didn’t come along and spread all those collected leaves and debris back over your lawn and garden. This is why it’s a good reason to look at something other than blowers when trying to deal with the debris that builds up around your garden.

The Basic Premise of a Garden Vacuum

A garden vacuum is distinctive in that it collects leaves or other debris while operating in suction mode. Hence, it works pretty much the same way as the vacuum cleaner you use in your home. In essence, you can walk around your garden with it. You can set it to vacuum mode and pick up those leaves or debris before emptying the contents of your vacuum into a bag or on your compost heap. It certainly does the entire job a whole lot easier compared to a leaf blower.

Hand-Held and Push Varieties

a green garden vacuum

Before we go into more detail on how vacuums work, it’s important to mention the two varieties on the market.

You may be familiar with the hand-held version with a large pipe and collection bag. This looks very much like a leaf blower, and it operates along the same lines.

So, after telling you the difference between a leaf blower and a vacuum, let’s get onto their application on your lawn.

Noise and Safety

Just as with a blower, this tool is noisy. You may want to get some ear protection and also cover your eyes for any dirt that is blown up. Safety is everything, and parts of leaves or small debris and twigs can get everywhere.

Consider Your Attachments

Before you go ahead and power up your lawn vacuum, you need to think about the attachments you will be using. This may vary depending on the debris and the pile of leaves you are picking up.

When to Use a Smaller Attachment

A smaller attachment will mean your machine will use less force when dealing with those leaves on your lawn. In addition, such attachments are perfect when working in more delicate areas where vacuuming may end up damaging delicate plants.

When to Use a Larger Attachment

A larger attachment will be best when trying to pick up larger debris. By that, we mean items such as pine cones, larger twigs, or pieces of a bush that may be on the ground.

A larger attachment is also best when trying to cover your whole yard in less time. It speeds up the collection process, and before you know it, you will be emptying the attached bag regularly.

An Additional Hose

Some machines come with an additional hose option. Still, these attachments only apply if you have a hand-held machine or a push version. This will be in the form of an additional hose attached and used to pick up other things that those vacs are missing out on.

Power It Up

The first step is to go ahead and power it up. Just like with leaf blowers, the majority of vacuums will be electric vacuums. Although there are petrol versions when it comes to these machines, as well, for a small garden, an electric model is sufficient. If you own a petrol garden vacuum, ensure that you have the right type of fuel.

Using the Vacuum Mode

Many garden vacuums have both the leaf blower and vacuum mode. They will pick up leaves and other small debris, but you need to switch from blower mode to vacuum mode. Vacuum mode will mean the device won’t blow things everywhere. Still, instead, it will suck up the debris and deposit it right into the collection bag.

You can do this to get the most out of this item and stop blowing the leaves all over.

Rake Things Together

First, rake leaves or debris together into a smaller area. Covering your whole yard with a vacuum may take a lot of time and effort. You may find it easier to initially clear up your garden and rake all the fallen leaves into smaller piles. You may even find the leaf blower function a handy option in this case.

Once all piled together, all you need to do is go around and suck up all the piles of debris.

Run Over the Debris With the Vacuum

While you vacuum up the debris you have in your garden, you must keep an eye on the bag. Is it filling up quickly, or does anything look like it’s stuck? When the bag is full, switch the machine’s engine off and empty the bags when required. This will ensure you keep working efficiently.

The Perks of a Garden Vacuum

By using a garden vacuum, you will make this part of gardening so much easier than before. It can be used on grass and paving with ease. You can then dump the leaves from the bag into the bin or onto your compost heap.

A garden vacuum will make it easy for you to collect leaves as long as you use the correct nozzle. Then clearing up your yard and all of that debris will take a fraction of the time, thanks to these tools.

If you have never thought about buying one before, consider how long it takes you to rake up leaves or clean the debris and see if you have that time to spare. If not, then this could be an easy solution for your family.

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