Do you hate leaf blowers enough to wage war on them publicly? If so, you're in good company. In a recent 'Subway Takes with Kareem Rahma' video (where famous people share their most controversial opinion on the New York subway), Cate Blanchett presented the case for wiping leaf blowers off the face of the planet.
In the video, Cate confidently states that it is antisocial to use a leaf blower. She declares: 'Leaf blowers need to be eradicated from the face of the earth.' She dives in, stating: 'It's a metaphor for what's wrong with us as a species, is we blow stuff from one side of our lawn to the other side, and then the wind is gonna blow it back.'
So, why the hatred for leaf blowers? First, she worries that leaf blowers are bad for the environment.
Cate explains: 'My rage went through the roof in Washington [D.C], where I think there's the highest concentration of leaf blowers and they banned them. They did a study back in, I don't know, 2010 or something, that 30 minutes on a leaf blower has more pollution than driving a pickup from Texas to Alaska. So they banned them in Washington.'
For those who are climate-conscious, this is undoubtedly true. Leaf blowers contribute to the greenhouse gas effect, negatively affect soil quality, and destroy leafy habitats. However, some would argue more for moderation of use, rather than totally discarding the appliances.
Shop leaf solutions
Wherever you fall on the leaf blower vs rake debate, using the best tool will minimize the time you spend doing yard work, and maximize time with your family. Here are a few top picks from Homes & Gardens experts in both categories.
This EGO blower is one of my favorite cordless leaf blowers. It's lightweight and surprisingly powerful.
A backpack leaf blower like this is perfect for cleaning up leaves in big lots. Just make sure the gas engine is legal in your local area.
When I tested the Worx Trivac I found that the impeller makes fine, effective mulch. However, it's corded, and it's needlessly complicated to switch between modes.
This American-made rake has dozens of five-star reviews. It's lightweight, so it's easy to use, and the dual tines mean that it won't clog.
If you have leaves in finicky areas like flowerbeds, you need a nimble narrow-head rake like this. Best of all, it's much cheaper than a leaf blower.
This innovative rake has a clog-free design which will scoop up your leaves without clogging. It also has an oversized grip on the handle to keep your hands comfortable.
Cate Blanchett also hates leaf blowers because she believes they work against positive relations between neighbors.
She states: 'Not only are leaf blowers ugly, and they're noise pollution, your neighbors hate you, because in the end, all you're doing is blowing the leaves onto your neighbor's lawn. So it's really bad for neighbor relations.'
On the other hand, if you live in a rural area, this is unlikely to be an issue. If you live in a more populous area, you can also use plants to reduce noise pollution as a way to dampen the effect of a leaf blower on your neighbors. Of course, the easiest way to eliminate this problem is by using a rake instead.
Finally, Cate rails against leaf blowers because she believes they are bad for individuals' health.
She states: 'They're really bad for your health, not only your ears. The rise of cardiac problems has gone through the roof because people are not doing the physical exercise [of raking].'
Of course, this type of physical movement is not accessible to everyone, in which case, less physical alternatives like a leaf blower are necessary. If you're anti-leaf-blower, but can't use a rake, a leaf vacuum could be a worthwhile option.
What side of the debate do you fall on? Are you pro leaf blowers? Or against them? Whether you're seeking out surprising uses for leaf blowers to try and use yours more, or have gone full rake, what's important is that you are paying attention to your needs, and the needs of the world around you. Let us know what you think in the comments.
