This Fall, Protect Your Yard From Infectious Fungi with a DR® Leaf Vacuum

VERGENNES, Vt., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Now that leaves have covered the ground in many parts of the country, homeowners are asking, "Do I have to clean them up?" According to lawn and garden experts, the answer is a definite "Yes." Lawn and garden experts agree that a yard free of leaf piles doesn't just look great, it keeps the lawn and trees healthy, too. That's why every fall, homeowners should remove and dispose of all fallen leaves to keep plants safe from diseases such as snow mold and tar spot. The DR^® Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is specially equipped to deal with large quantities of leaves, and while vacuuming, it shreds leaves down to 1/10^th of their original volume. Shredded leaves can easily be composted or bagged for pick up.

It's hard to believe that beautiful fall foliage can be destructive, but the truth is, leaving a layer of wet leaves on your lawn results in an ideal breeding ground for the snow mold fungus. Inactive during the warm months, snow mold grows in moist conditions at temperatures just above freezing. At the end of winter, damage from snow mold becomes apparent when snow melts and exposes circular patches of dead and matted grass blades.

Piles of leaves left on the ground are also a prime source of the fungi that causes the unsightly black tar spots on maple leaves. The fungus develops beneath the trees over the winter and then appears  as yellow spots on leaves around mid-June. Those spots darken and disfigure leaves later in the summer, appearing as large black spots on orange and red maple leaves.

Luckily, neither fungus causes long term damage to its host and is easily preventable. To keep plants free of tar spot and snow mold, DR Power Equipment recommends removing fallen leaves from the ground. Mulching leaves, ideally at a distance from the maple trees, will be enough to destroy tar spots during their incubation phase.

No matter how fast the leaves are falling, DR Power recommends that home owners protect their lawn and trees by conducting timely, regular leaf pickup. A pile of leaves should not be left on the ground for more than three days. Although crucial for plant health, keeping up with falling leaves is an exhausting, time-consuming chore. The DR^® Leaf and Lawn Vacuum dramatically reduces the amount of time and labor required to remove large quantities of leaves. DR^® Power Equipment offers three tow-behind leaf vacuums that hitch to any riding mower, plus a walk-behind yard vacuum with an easy-to-use self-propelled drive system. DR^® Leaf and Lawn Vacuums are available for purchase through DR^® Power Equipment. Consumers can compare between models and read reviews on the company's website.

About DR^® Power Equipment

DR^® Power Equipment, a division of Country Home Products, Inc., the premiere developer and marketer of professional-grade outdoor equipment for residential use, was founded in 1985 in Charlotte, Vermont. Country Home Products is a three time winner of Vermont's "Best Places to Work" award. It employs over 220 people and occupies three facilities. For more information on its complete line of power equipment and property care supplies, visit the web site at www.drpower.com.

PRODUCT PHOTOS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ARE AVAILABLE.  DR^® Power Equipment sells products factory-direct and through a network of over 500 dealers; a free catalog can be ordered at 802-877-1200, or obtained online at www.drpower.com. For more information on DR® POWER EQUIPMENT, please contact Marcus Certa at [email protected].

Contact:
Marcus Certa
[email protected]
802-877-1200

SOURCE DR Power Equipment