A vacuum picks up the leaves and deposits them in an integral sack, while a leaf blower simply blows the leaves to a convenient spot to be collected later. There is also a purpose-made leaf sweeper available, which uses rotating brushes to push the leaves into a large bag. Alternatively, you can gather leaves using a lawn mower that collects clippings. It will shred the leaves, which can then be composted. As long as there is only a small amount of grass with the shredded leaves, it can all be put in the leaf-composting bin.
Ponds Use chicken wire or fine plastic netting to cover the pond at the end of summer.
Any leaves that fall over the pond can easily be collected and composted. Any leaves that have already fallen in the water should be scooped out by hand or with a garden rake, because if they are left in the pond they will decompose slowly and give off poisonous gases that are harmful to fish. Once the leaves have been stored for a year or so, the partially-composted product can be spread as a mulch around plants such as soft fruits and shrubs. Alternatively, you can incorporate it into the planting holes of new trees and shrubs. As a mulch around herbaceous plants, leaves provide good protection from winter frosts.