Let’s be real here:
Oak trees are majestic and all, but the acorns they drop from time to time can be a massive headache that’s for sure.
Especially because animals and birds will start to call that lovely tree home, piling onto your list of unwanted troubles!
So, what should you do with acorns in your yard?
Luckily, solutions to solve this issue are simple. I’ve put together 6 fixes that I know for sure will keep those pesky acorns off the ground once and for all!
Stick around to learn them as well as answers to some of your frequently asked questions.
1 – Use a Lawn Sweeper
Readily available, lawn sweepers are first on our list.
If you already have a riding lawn mower, even better! Combining a lawn sweeper with it could turn it into a highly effective tool for picking up acorns.
The attachment can be connected to any kind of riding lawn mower too, and you can use it for picking up all kinds of debris from the ground, such as leaves, twigs, and of course, acorns.
But this will depend on the kind of lawn sweeper you buy. Some, for instance, come with a suction device. You can also purchase one that has a scooping action.
Either way, both do a neat job of getting rid of those pesky acorns.
2 – Leaf Vacuum
Why not get a leaf vacuum or a lawn vacuum?
You can either purchase or rent too; depending on your choices.
While they’re primarily used for leaves, they won’t say no to sucking up a few acorns too. The unit has a small motor strong enough for suction, and you’ll find the collected debris in the attached bag.
3 – Nut Gatherer
The nut gatherer, also known as a weasel, is a manual device that can be used for picking up acorns.
Simply put, it’s a long pole and a cage that tends to roll across the surface, picking up those acorns from the ground. Pretty nifty, I say!
4 – Rake
Sometimes simple is best! Using a rake is arguably the quickest way to get rid of acorns strewn all around your yard.
Raking can be tiring work though, and it’s generally suited for smaller areas. So, if you have a spacious yard, a rake no longer becomes a workable solution.
That said, gather the acorns in a pile with the help of a rake, and then scoop them up with your hands or use a standard shovel. And voila—now you have an acorn-free yard!
The one downside to consider, however: The rake is also going to gather up grass and numerous other materials, such as lawn clippings and fallen fruit.
5 – Lay Down a Tarp
Want to play it safe? Consider laying a tarp on the ground.
This solution primarily depends on the size of the tree that you have—if it’s not as big, you might want to consider laying a tarp down.
It’s a quick fix too! Just lay down tarps all around the tree to catch acorns falling on the ground.
When you notice that the tarp is all but full, you can just empty it out and start anew. Make sure you dispose of them in the compost bin as well to harness the extra benefits.
6 – Use a Harvester
A harvester is actually pretty much the same as the nut gatherer, but on a bigger, more mechanical, scale.
While it could be the twin of a man-powered lawn mower, you need to be extra careful when mowing the lawn with this one! The sheer size and power could be a lot to handle.
Nut harvester machines require you to spend a bit of time and effort in the yard too.
Of course, this option is only ideal if you have the budget to buy such a magnificent electronic machine.
Why You Should Get Rid of Acorns in Your Yard
Apart from destroying the appearance of your well-kept lawn, acorns can also cause a number of other issues.
Did you know that they kill grass?
When they’re left on the lawn for longer periods of time, acorns block the sunlight from falling on the surface. This ultimately ends up killing the grass.
Moreover, they’ll cause unwanted seedlings to sprout in your garden.
That’s because acorns are seedlings, so if they’re left on the ground, they’ll soon germinate and sprout.
And you don’t want these seeds growing in your garden, because it’s only going to increase your work tenfold!
So, make sure you get rid of fallen acorns at least once a week to prevent unwanted problems in your garden and keep it looking nice and clean.
FAQs
What are acorns good for?
Believe it or not, acorns are in fact highly notorious! Rich with vitamins E and A, iron, potassium, and healthy unsaturated fats, acorns are more than fit for human consumption.
So while they’re a nuisance in your yard, they’re a great snack filled with protein, fats, and carbohydrates.
What happens to acorns on the ground?
Once acorns fall, they go dormant, sadly, until the next spring. You may think they go on to become magnificent oak trees themselves, but that’s seldom the case.
That’s because these baby acorns face a lot of challenges on the ground, making it hard to sprout and grow. There’s a lesson there if you ask me!
What causes lots of acorns?
Many factors influence the number of acorns that invade your yard. Favorable weather conditions, drops in temperature, and having no competition with fellow oak trees—all will make your tree go crazy with the acorn production.
Final Thoughts
Asking yourself what to do with acorns in your yard? Well, I hope that concern won’t have you tossing and turning any longer!
Any of my quick solutions, both big and small, are guaranteed to keep your yard looking neat and pretty all year round. And as such, you and your family can have loads of backyard fun.So, check out my list of family-friendly backyard activities next!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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