Tips on Raking Leaves & Shoveling Snow in Michigan

Know Your Yard Waste Pick-up Schedule

• If you live in a municipality that collects yard waste, take advantage of that service for leaf disposal. Rake the yard a day or so before the waste pick-up date. If your city collects raked leaves by vacuuming them off the curb, you don't want the leaves to sit curbside for long before pick-up, because wind can scatter them back into the yard, undoing all your hard work. Fall in Michigan is a windy season, especially near the lakeshores. Many cities pick up yard waste that's been placed in specific bags or in a yard waste container.

  To find out when your local yard waste pick-up is, or if it is offered at all, check your city's government Web site or call city hall.

Use the Right Tools

• When it comes to yard work such as raking and shoveling, all tools are not created equal. In general, it's worth it to spend a little extra on a quality rake and shovel.

  The fan of a rake should be firm, especially if your lawn has a deep layer of leaves. A firm fan will push the leaves along, while a weak one may brush over the top, leaving many stragglers in the grass. If you have back or shoulder trouble, an ergonomic rake can help your body move in a safer way. Raking is a vigorous activity with repetitive motions. Poor form can cause injury and strain.

  Once the snow hits, the right tool depends on the area you need to shovel (driveway, sidewalks, porch). A wide shovel will make quicker work of a driveway, though it may be too cumbersome for a narrow sidewalk or porch steps. A narrower shovel with a metal edge is ideal for steps and frequently traveled walkways because the edge can help break up ice beneath the snow. Ergonomic shovels can decrease strain on the back by improving the user's shoveling form.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

• It may seem like a smart idea to wait until all the leaves have fallen before breaking out the rake, so you only have to rake once. If your yard has a lot of trees, that one-time raking job can be much more difficult than if you had raked a few times throughout the season. A lighter dusting of leaves can be quickly raked up without much strain at all. A thick layer of leaves is more labor intensive. Not only is the leaf collection difficult to rake, but the bottom leaves are probably wet, making them heavy and hard to haul.

  When it comes to snow, know the forecast. If a large snowfall is on the way, clear sidewalks and driveways beforehand. A thick layer of snow can be quite difficult to shovel, if not impossible for some people. If a foot or more of snow is predicted, break out the shovel about halfway through the storm. Clearing 6 inches twice is easier and less of a strain on your body than trying to heft a shovel full of a foot or more of snow.

Avoid Injury

• Raking and shoveling are vigorous activities that can result in injury if you aren't conscious of what your body is doing. Before performing either task, take a few minutes to stretch your muscles, especially stretches that engage your back and arms. Take a short walk or jog in place to get your blood flowing.

  When raking, stand straight and keep your head up as much as possible. Use a balanced stance with feet apart. When picking up leaves or twigs, bend at the knees, not the back.

  Before heading out into the snow, make sure you're wearing appropriate clothing, including a coat, gloves, hat, waterproof boots and warm socks. When shoveling, take a secure stance and use your legs to move your body and the shovel forward, plowing into the snow. Before lifting the shovel full of snow, make sure it's near to your body and continue to use your legs as much as possible to lessen the strain on your back. Point your feet and your body in the direction that you're tossing the snow to avoid twisting your back.