When you first set out to start raking, plan to set aside a couple hours for the job, depending on the size of your yard, and the number of trees in the vicinity. Then just grab a rake, a pair of work gloves, and follow these easy tips to make your fall clean-up quick, efficient, and fun.

Also make sure the leaves and the ground are mostly dry (so that the leaves "crunch" instead of "squish")--this will not only make it easier to gather leaves, but will also ensure that you won't tear up the grass with your rake. Dry leaves are also much harder to slip on! Safety first.

1. Rake, sturdy and comfortable

2. Thick work gloves

3. Large tarp or drop cloth

4. Layered clothing, including long pants and high socks

5. Drinking wate

2. Lay out your tarp (or drop cloth) next to the area you intend to rake, making sure edges are as flat as possible.

3. Put on your work gloves, and grab hold of your rake, positioning your hands on the rake as far apart as you can without having to bend your back. You should always keep your back posture as straight as possible.

4. Begin raking the leaves, making sure to work with the wind. You should keep your feet moving as you rake, so as to not lock your feet in one position and swivel your waste too much--this could lead to back strain.

5. While you're gathering leaves, work the rake in small, short strokes instead of wide ones. This will not only give you a better workout, but will also catch more leaves.

6. Every 5 minutes or so, alternate which side of your body you're using to rake, left or right. This will evenly distribute the workload and prevent excessive muscle strain.

7. As your raking nears the edge of the tarp, this is the time to start using broad, sweeping motions to "lift" the leaves up over the lip of the tarp.

8. Continue to pile leaves toward the center of the tarp, being sure to keep the corners free and clear, to allow for dragging and disposing later.

9. When your tarp is full (or when it has reached maximum weight for you to safely drag), gather the corners and fold inward toward the center. With each of the four corners gathered into your hands, drag the leaves to a designated disposal location.

ALTERNATELY: If you are confident that you are going to finish the entire raking job in one day, you can rake a number of small piles around the yard, and save the tarp filling and removal process for the very end.

10. When you've reached your disposal site, have one to two people lift the edge of the tarp, and allow the pile of leaves to slide off. If the leaves are heavy, or if you do not have a second person to assist you, you may need to use the rake to pull some of the load off of the tarp.

11. Place the emptied tarp into the area of lawn you just cleared of leaves, and repeat the steps until your yard is leaf-free!

Curbside Leaf Collection - In some areas, cities will offer curbside leaf pick-up. When using this option, face the curb as you release the leaves into the street to prevent them scattering too far into the road.

Leaf Bagging - If you want someone else to take care of leaf disposal for you, purchase leaf collection bags, either from your local hardware store, or from your trash collector. Place the bags on their sides, and use the rake like a broom to "sweep" the leaves into each bag, using some form of metal or plastic ring to hold the bag's mouth wide open. Commercial rings such as these can be purchased at most home improvement stores.

Woodland Dumping - If you live in a wooded area, and can legally dump leaves there, this is a fast and easy leaf disposal option. Simply haul the tarp, and dump, choosing a different dump site for each trip. The leaves will naturally decompose over time and re-enter nature's cycle.

Composting/Mulching - Thrifty gardeners can use autumn leaves as compost or mulch to benefit their gardens. To do this, first the leaves you've raked must be shredded, never left whole. (Your lawnmower can be used for this purpose, just be sure to remove your tarp before doing so!) Then either add a thin layer of the shredded leaves to your garden, or dump the leaf bits into your compost bin.http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/frederick/2001/compost_leaves.htm

Burning - This is an easy option to dispose of small amounts of leaves. First check your local town ordinances to make sure open burning is legal. Remember to never attempt to burn wet/damp leaves (they will smoke you out!). Make sure no dry grass, plants, or tinder is close to your burn area, and keep a running hose nearby in case you need to control the flames. Keep the burning pile to a small size--larger burning leaf piles can easily collapse, creating a hazard to people and land. Burning is largely unpopular because the smoke is fairly hazardous to human health, and because it takes a lot of burning to dispose of a moderate amount of dry leaves.http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/burn/leafburn2.html

• Stretch and get your heart rate up just before you go out into the yard to get warmed up. Going out with cold muscles can easily lead to pulls, strains, or pains.

• Wear long pants with long socks, making sure not to leave bare skin exposed. This will keep you protected from yard hazards including burs, biting insects, snakes, etc.

• Wear layers. You will warm up very quickly as you rake, and you will need to slowly shed layers as you go so as not to overheat.

• Do not bend your back to hold the rake. Your hand positions on the rake should be fairly wide (one hand toward the top, one hand 3/4 of the way down), but never lower your grip so far that you have to bend. Keep your back posture as straight as possible.

• Bend your knees slightly as you rake, making sure you're not "locking" your legs. This will allow for more flexible movement in your back and legs, and can ease pressure on your lower back as you rake.

• Don't let your feet lock in place while you rake. Allow your feet to pivot, and move them freely. This will prevent you from excessively twisting at the waist and causing undue strain in your lower back.

• Make sure that any bending you do--including when you remove sticks or clean off rake debris--is done by bending at the knees, and not the waist.

• When moving the tarp, enlist the help of others. This is a great way kids can really help, get a big group of them together to help you move the leaves across the yard.

• Take plenty of breaks as you rake, about every 15-20 minutes. Raking is moderate exercise and you don't want to push yourself. Be sure to drink plenty of water as you rake.

• Cool down your muscles after your done raking. Massages and warm baths are great ways to soothe muscles. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/414327/how_to_rake_leaves_without_hurting.html?cat=5 http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/work_out/a2004-10-27-rakingleaves.html