Since I'm going to be spending too much to re-do my entire backyard this spring, I figured I'd invest in an electric leaf lower to save on landscaper cleanup and maintenance costs this year. But when I started Googling around, I faced some tough choices. Prices ranged from ridiculously cheap (how good can it be?) to prohibitively expensive.
After days and days of online research, I decided to order the Toro Ultra 12 Amp Electric Blower/Vacuum #51599, a Consumer Reports Best Buy. I found it on Amazon.com for just $69.97, a real surprise, given the rave user reviews I read.
I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when the package arrived. I love power tools, especially ones that do what they promise to do, and I had very high hopes for this one.
Assembly was a breeze, and as the product description indicated, switching from blowing mode to vacuum mode required no muscle power and took only seconds. So far, so good. I headed outside to my debris-filled garden. Where do all those leaves come from? Didn't I clean them up in the fall? I never know why I bother.
That's a picture of one of my Nepeta 'Walker's Low' catmints, its branches polluted with sticks and leaves and pine needles.
After blasting for just a few seconds with my new Toro, the plant looked like it had been to the salon. You can even see some new growth starting.
After that I put the camera down -- I needed to concentrate. I cleared the driveway in less than 5 minutes and then -- this is the best part -- switched over to vacuum mode and sucked everything up into the included canvas bag, which attaches to the device and has an adjustable shoulder strap. The vacuum mulches everything it sucks up, so the bag can hold an incredible amount. When I finished, I dumped the contents of the bag right into my compost tumbler.
I think I 'm in love.
Comments (1)
I laughed when I read the sentence about how the plant looked like it had been to the salon! I appreciate the before/after photos! So funny.
I recently discovered your blog and would love to know if you recommend any books/resources you recommend for a beginner gardener. I just planted some cosmos seeds last week (since I heard they are very easy to grow), and hope this is the start of a lifelong hobby.
RESPONSE FROM JESSICA: Hey, Carol. Thanks for stopping by. Most cosmos are annuals, though there are a few perennial varieties. You really don't need any help growing annuals. Just plant according to tag or packet instructions, water regularly and enjoy. For a beginning gardener, I would definitely recommend Tracy DiSabato-Aust's "The Well Tended Perennial Garden." It's a great primer and includes all the details you need to get started. Have fun!