All these newer gadgets for getting rid of surplus leaves and garden rubbish are said to be a boon to the modern gardener – or are they?
A leaf blower is certainly faster and requires far less physical effort when you’ve got a big area to clear.
But the larger models can be astonishingly noisy, and petrol blowers add a generous dose of fumes to the experience. Breathe those in and you may feel decidedly unwell.
Meanwhile, neighbours scurry to shut their doors as that unmistakable roar fills the street. (To be fair, some hedge trimmers are guilty of the same offence.)
Studies show that using a leaf blower burns around 170 calories per hour. Raking, on the other hand, uses closer to 224 calories an hour – more if you’re putting in a decent effort.
Garden work generally can burn anywhere from 450 to 525 calories per hour, almost as much as swimming or a casual game of basketball.
So says my friendly AI consultant on Google.
For comparison, a 68kg person burns about 68 calories an hour by sitting still. I always knew there was a benefit in doing nothing!
But the truth is, wielding a blower – noisy, hot and efficient as it may be – simply doesn’t compare with the gentle, whole-body stretch of raking.
You’re using your arms, your core and your legs. And a quiet hour spent among the trees and plants can become a meditative moment: losing yourself in the breeze, the birds, the clouds skimming past, and the quiet contentment that comes from tending your own little patch of earth.
Of course, leaves do need to be gathered. Left too long on a path, they can become slippery and dangerous once wet.
So – blower or rake? In the end, the choice is yours.
