No More Bare Hands: The Easy-To-Use Tool For Picking Up Piles Of Leaves

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Leaf peeping is one of autumn's best perks, but cleaning up fallen leaves? Well, that's another story. Like it or not, the seasonal chore is unavoidable, but the way in which you tackle the tidying process can make all the difference. If you're ready to ditch the rake that wreaks havoc on your back and you'd rather not spend tons of time picking it up a little at a time with bare hands — perish the thought — consider a simple but effective find for lifting the foliage in hefty scoops: a plastic leaf grabber like the Tookie Leaf Scoop. 

Earning 4.4 out of 5 stars from Amazon shoppers, the Tookie leaf grabber ($13.99) consists of a pair of plastic claws, each measuring 10 ¼ inches by 13 ⅓ inches and featuring adjustable handles to make it easy to grab, scoop, and move large amounts of leaves. As one customer explained, "These scoops are fantastic after you get your pile of leaves made with your blower or rake. I used to use two rakes to pick up the leaves and get them into my 4x6 foot wagon. Now it takes me half the time using the scoop." Customers are particularly touting its functionality. One shopper noted in a review, "These really help picking up much more than I can do by hand," while another chimed in with a similar sentiment: "These were the answer to a leaf pickup chore that I hated." If you have portable leaf collectors nearby but still need a way to fill them, this helper could be it. 

Instead of mulling over raking, blowing, or mowing leaves to remove them, you can grab the Tookie leaf claws for a convenient, more accessible option when you have just a small patch of leaves to manage. This leaf grabber is competitively priced compared to similar leaf-grabbing claws and cheaper than some higher-end designs. Some selections, like the Mekkapro Hand Rake Leaf Claws ($29.99), also don't include adjustable handles like the Tookie claws. Plus, the jagged grip and closed-scoop design is particularly handy if you don't want anything to spill out after you pick it up. When fall is in the rearview, you can also use this Amazon product in the spring for getting rid of thorns, putting down compost, and general trash clean-up. 

It might be an inexpensive garden helper, but there are a few key factors worth noting before adding these leaf grabbers to your cart. Wear gardening gloves for comfort, and if you're working with a larger portion of grass, you might want to consider something more powerful. Reviews have suggested that the size of the tool is a bit smaller than anticipated and slightly undersized compared to some similar leaf-scooping products. "The handles are a little too tight for normal size hands," noted one user. While the sturdiness has also been an issue for customers, with some noting that they don't expect them to last for multiple seasons, many still find them to be a good bang for your buck and an efficient spring and fall lawn maintenance solution.