What’s the Best Way to Pick Up Fallen Acorns in My Yard?

Oak trees are a magnificent addition to any home or property, providing an exceptional canopy for shade and a brilliant display of foliage. Your oak trees may also be home to any number of creatures from birds to squirrels, and while they may find the acorns scattered on the ground below to be some type of treasure—to homeowners they may be little more than a nuisance. If you're looking for the best way to pick up acorns from your lawn look no further. The team of experts at The Grounds Guys® has options for you to choose from, to help keep your landscape looking and feeling its best.

Tips to Pick Up Acorns from Lawn and Garden Areas

The following types of equipment can be effective at reducing acorns in your yard:

Lawn Sweeper

If you already own a riding lawn mower a lawn sweeper can help turn it into an effective tool for acorn removal. The attachment follows along behind any riding mower or small tractor collecting debris such as acorns, twigs, leaves, and more. Depending on which type you buy the lawn sweeper may use either a suction device or a scooping action to complete the task.

Leaf Vacuum

A lawn or leaf vacuum can either be purchased or rented, and while it is typically used to collect leaves it may also be used to vacuum up your acorns. The unit is powered by a small motor and sucks up the debris into the attached bag. Before buying or renting the machine ensure the motor is powerful enough to retrieve the acorns, as equipment can vary.

Nut Gatherer/Weasel

This manual device consists of a long pole and cage that rolls along the surface of the lawn. As it passes over small objects such as acorns, they are collected inside the basket and emptied once it becomes full.

Rake

Raking is an effective but less efficient option, that may be best suited for smaller jobs. Acorns may be gathered into piles and then scooped up using your hands or a shovel. The downside to this method is that the rake will also collect grass and other materials in its wake.

Shop Vacuum

A shop vacuum with a wide hose can make short work of fallen acorns, but the efficiency of this method is reliant upon the power of the vacuum and the size and volume of acorns on the ground.

Tarps

Depending on the size of your tree you may have success by laying a series of tarps on the ground around the base, and shaking or manipulating the limbs to drop the acorns. Tarps may then be folded and emptied, or the acorns may be swept or raked into piles and disposed of in your green waste or compost bin.

The Benefits of Acorn Removal

A lawn full of acorns can be unsightly and negatively impact your landscape. The benefits of acorn removal include:

• Healthier lawns - If acorns are left too long on the ground they may hinder the growth of grass.
• Unwanted seedlings - Acorns may eventually sprout and produce seedlings wherever they land.
• Safety - Acorns can be painful to walk on and may cause injury if they are ejected from a lawn mower.

Include the task of picking up acorns from lawn and gardens as part of your fall maintenance checklist, to promote a lush, green lawn and keep your landscape looking its best. Contact your local The Grounds Guys for help with your landscaping and lawn care needs!