For most people, leaf blowers are essential gardening tools, especially now that fall is upon us. They make short work of leftover leaves and organize them into neat piles that can then be reused as compost or mulch.
However, if you’ve ever been woken up by the whine of a leaf blower next door, you’re probably not a fan. Leaf blowers are some of the loudest garden tools and using them too early can be a major cause of neighborhood disputes.
As a garden product tester, I learned the hard way that it’s best to wait until later in the day to use the leaf blower. I also spoke to an etiquette expert about the right time to use a leaf blower and keep the neighborhood happy.
When can you use a leaf blower?
(Image credit: Getty Images / Cappi Thompson)
Growing up, we always stuck to the rule of no outside noise before 10am, and I stuck to it for years when testing gardening tools and equipment. A few years ago, I went to my parent’s house to test out some leaf blowers by cleaning their patio and driveway, and my mom still insisted on the rule even though I had a deadline that was fast approaching. Any noise from gardening before 10am is pretty antisocial, especially on weekends when the 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 noisy and that your neighbors might be disturbed by the noise, so we want to use them at times when that disturbance is minimized.”
“In many communities, the earliest time is 8 or 9 a.m. on a weekday and 9 or 10 a.m. on the weekend.”
Besides the neighborhood, there is also a practical reason to delay leaf blowing until later in the day. Leaves can only be blown away when they are dry, otherwise they will clump together into a mass that a leaf blower cannot handle. If you try to use a leaf blower too early, the morning dew will make it much more difficult to blow the leaves into piles.
Nick says the latest time to use the leaf blower is 6pm. If you come later, you’re cutting into your neighbours’ mealtimes – which can be very antisocial.
EGO Power+ LB7654 765 Cordless Leaf Blower
This leaf blower from EGO is more powerful than any other cordless leaf blower. It’s lightweight and does a great job of collecting leaves – the only problem is that it’s quite expensive.
This classic leaf blower design is perfect for gardens larger than an acre. Just make sure you have proper hearing protection and that it is legal in your area.
I tested the Worx Trivac and found that the impeller produces fine, effective mulch. However, it is corded, which can make moving it around the garden difficult, and switching between modes is unnecessarily complicated.
Nick Leighton is a two-time Emmy award-winning talk show host and journalist. An etiquette expert, Nick produces and edits the podcast Were you raised by wolves?
(Image credit: Getty Images / Aleksandr Potashev)
Are you allowed to blow leaves into your neighbor’s garden?
An important part of leaf blower etiquette is to be careful where you blow your leaves. Leaves are a natural product and no one is responsible for them. In most parts of the country, you are only responsible for the leaves that fall into your yard, so if your tree is blowing leaves into a neighbor’s yard, that is not your problem. On the other hand, if leaves are blowing into your yard from further up the street, that is your responsibility.
However, that doesn’t mean you can blow leaves from your yard into your neighbor’s yard for them to clean up. In most municipalities, it is against the law to blow yard waste into a neighbor’s yard. You could be fined for doing so. You also can’t blow yard waste into the street. If you clog a city drain or other public utility line, you could also be fined.
The best thing to do is to clear leaves along the property line back into your garden – that way you won’t risk a fine. It’s also just good manners – dumping garden waste in a neighbor’s garden, even small things like leaves, is very antisocial.
Are there legal noise protection regulations?
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Depending on your state, city or county, etiquette may not be your biggest concern. Many places have laws against outdoor noise. In residential areas of Fort Worth, for example, it’s illegal to make noise above 70 dB, which many leaf blowers exceed.
Depending on where you live, you may face a fine for running a loud leaf blower too soon or for too long. In residential areas of Washington DC, gas-powered leaf blowers are illegal. You can be fined $500 just for using a gas-powered leaf blower because they are so loud.
Additionally, many homeowners associations have their own rules governing leaf blower noise. Some ban them entirely, while others have rules about decibel levels and appropriate times for leaf blower use. While good manners are important, it’s even more important to follow the law.
Frequently asked questions about leaf blowers
Can you clean gutters with a leaf blower?
You can clean gutters with a leaf blower, but this is not always effective or safe. The water in the gutters can cause the leaves to clump together, preventing them from blowing out cleanly. Using a leaf blower on gutters can cause debris to be thrown around the yard, which can be dangerous.
It’s not just gardening that can disturb neighbors. Barbecuing incorrectly or building a pergola next to a neighbor’s fence without consulting them can also be antisocial.
