Most people consider leaf blowers as essential gardening tools, especially as we head into the fall. They make short work of leftover leaves, tidying them into neat piles to be reused in compost or mulch.
However, if you've ever been woken by a leaf blower whining from next door, you're probably not a fan. Leaf blowers are one of the loudest pieces of gardening equipment and using them too early can be a major cause of neighborhood strife.
As a gardening product tester, I've learned the hard way that it's best to wait until later in the day to use a leaf blower. I also spoke to an etiquette expert about the right time to use a leaf blower to keep the neighborhood happy.
When can you use a leaf blower?
Growing up, the rule we always followed was no outdoor noise before 10 am, and I've stuck to it through years of testing yard tools and equipment. A couple of years ago I went back to my parents' home to test some leaf blowers by cleaning their patio and driveway, and my mom still insisted on the rule, even though I had a deadline fast approaching. Any yard work noise before 10 am is pretty antisocial, especially on the weekend when neighbors are trying to sleep in.
Etiquette expert Nick Leighton says: 'The general etiquette idea is that we need to acknowledge that leaf blowers can be loud and that your neighbors might be disturbed by the noise, so we want to use them at times when it'll minimize this disturbance as much as possible.
'For many communities, 8 or 9 am is the earliest for a weekday, and 9 or 10 am on a weekend.'
On top of neighborliness, there's a practical reason to leave leaf blowing until later in the day. Leaves can only be blown when they're dry, otherwise they clump up into a mass that won't be affected by a leaf blower. If you try to use a leaf blower too early, morning dew will make it much harder to blow the leaves into piles.
Nick says that the cut-off point for using a leaf blower is 6 pm. Any later and you'll be cutting into your neighbors' dinnertime - which can be very antisocial.
This EGO blower is about as powerful as cordless leaf blowers can get. It's lightweight and does a great job at clearing leaves - the only issue is that it's pretty expensive.
This classic leaf blower design is perfect for yards larger than an acre - just make sure you have proper ear protection, and make sure it's legal in your local area.
I tested the Worx Trivac, and found that the impeller makes fine, effective mulch. However, it's corded, which can be finicky to move around a yard, and it's needlessly complicated to switch between modes.
Can you blow leaves into a neighbor's yard?
A crucial part of leaf blowing etiquette is to watch where you blow your leaves. Leaves are a natural product and they aren't anyone's responsibility in themselves. In most of the country, you are only liable to deal with the leaves that fall in your yard, so if your tree blows leaves into a neighbor's yard, it's not your problem. Conversely, if leaves blow into your yard from further up the street, they're your responsibility.
However, this doesn't mean you can blow leaves out of your yard and into your neighbor's for them to clean. Most municipalities have laws against blowing yard waste into a neighbor's yard, and you could be fined. Nor can you blow yard waste into the street - if it winds up blocking a municipal drain or other public utility you could also face a fine.
It's best to clean leaves back into your yard along your property lines - that way there's no risk of a fine. On top of that, it's just good manners - dumping yard waste in a neighbor's yard, even small things like leaves, is very antisocial.
Are there noise restrictions in law?
Depending on your state, city, or county, etiquette may not be your biggest problem. In many places, there are laws against outdoor noise. For example, in residential areas of Fort Worth, it's illegal to make noise louder than 70dB, which many leaf blowers exceed.
Depending on your location, you could face a fine for running a noisy leaf blower too early or for too long. In residential areas of Washington D.C., gas leaf blowers are illegal. You could be fined $500 just for using a gas leaf blower, as they're so loud.
On top of that, many homeowners associations have their own rules governing leaf blower noise. Some ban them outright, while others have rules about decibel levels and sociable hours for using leaf blowers. While good manners are crucial, it's even more important to be on the right side of the law.
Leaf blower FAQs
Can you use a leaf blower to clean gutters?
You can use a leaf blower to clean gutters, but it's not always effective or safe. The water in the gutters can cause the leaves to clump together, so they don't blow out cleanly. Using a leaf blower on gutters can blast debris across the garden, which can be unsafe.
It's not just yardwork that can be disruptive to neighbors. It can even be antisocial to grill if done incorrectly or to build a pergola next to a neighbor's fence without consulting them.
