Last updated on December 13th, 2019
THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVERTISEMENT. I simply wanted to tell you about my new garden toy: a Black + Decker Leaf Blower-Vacuum-Mulcher. I purchased this gadget for its vacuuming and mulching options. How’d it perform? I filmed a test-drive for you.
Can I recommend the Black + Decker leaf thingy to you? No way! I only know that the machine works admirably on the leaves and twigs that collect on my front porch and garden paths. If you’d like to read hundreds of reviews from others who have purchased this gadget, please visit this Amazon page.
And speaking of leaves…how’s your autumn clean-up coming along? Talk to me in the comments field below. I love hearing from you!
xKevin
P.S. Be sure to save your autumn leaves! These cast-offs are a valuable soil amendment. And they’re free! Click here to see how I use shredded leaves in my own garden beds.
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LeeAnne From Newmarket, ON says
Hi Kevin,
Last year, after reading everything you wrote on leaves and composting and mulching, I wanted to use leaves for composting too. There is no space to spare for composting but after researching bought a similar toy. And boy it works well. Not all are the same so pays to research. The one I got was light enough for me to handle yet can suck up and chop wet (piled) leaves.
Hope you like your new toy as much as I like mine!
Sandra Payette says
Oh good, Kevin. Takes the back breaking job of raking out of the picture. It’s pretty fast too.
Thanks for the demo.
Patricia says
Loved the B&D Blower/Vacuum demo. The entire concept is fascinating. Let me know when they come out with one that a 5’2″ 115 lb. 80 something could lift and manage easily. We do all of our gardening work and are surrounded by the same type trees you have on your property. With all the technology out there, can’t they find a way to make one that is smaller and light weight? For now, we rake and blow our leaves into piles, bag them, and haul them off to our local recycle center. I always look forward to your latest…everything! This one is up there with one of the best. Thank you for sharing.
Carla from Kansas says
I’ve had this same machine for 3 or 4 years and love it!
Kevin M says
Great review with all the flaws with assembely by an everyday person, you could have edited it but did not. Just as I was thinking of buying a stand alone shreader you present a multi use tool. Just a note that the amazon link leads to a more expensive version. Here is the link for the 69 dollar version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FREQC10/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_vote_lft?ie=UTF8&voteInstanceId=R2UUTF34SF7PBE&voteValue=1&csrfT=gkCA70iyvhnuvGM4XKyy4mV%2BFWIF3JpHe0dDLlsAAAABAAAAAF2Z50FyYXcAAAAA%2B4kUEk%2F7iMGR3xPcX6iU#R2UUTF34SF7PBE&
Thanks, Kevin M
Ed says
I have an older Toro and a 2 year old Worx and love them both. In the fall I use the riding mower to pick up the leaves then to the compost pile to empty and further mulch with one of the above.
This year I will do as you do they will go in my flower garden with cottenseed meal
Paula Mann says
I’ve had mine (same Black & Decker as yours) for at least 5 years now and it’s still going strong! I don’t use the blower much (because I’ve stolen a smaller one from my husband, who says it’s for drying his motorcycle, not cleaning the patio) but every fall I mulch leaves as far as the cords will reach. Those leaves then top my raised beds and go into a tub for use in my composters next season. I’m glad you finally found it! This is a purchase you won’t regret.
Pat Crosby says
Was I wrong to have doubled over with laughter as I watched you put the flame thrower together in the kitchen. If you turn the cord the other way it will stay out of the way better for you. Have a lovely day Kevin.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Pat – As mentioned, I’m the LEAST mechanically-minded person in the world. Thanks for watching the video!
Margaret VanHull says
How does the machine handle acorns, sticks & stones? My yard of oaks, maples, hickory & pines is a sea of these plus leaves. I can’t rake much anymore so vacuuming would be a fabulous aid.
I’m also wondering how many leaves you can vacuum before bag needs emptying?
Thanks.
Kristine says
Hi Kevin, I bought the same B&D mulcher/ blower about five years ago and it’s still going strong. I love it for quickly clearing my patio and surrounding rocks. I use the mulcher to cover my flower beds as I learned from you. Thank you. It has made a big difference.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Margaret – I was delighted to see that the machine sucked up and mulched small twigs along with leaves. Lots of acorns here, but I have not tried to vacuum them yet. Will let the squirrels enjoy them first!
Hi Kristine – So glad you use your shredded leaves in the same manner that I do. Leaves contribute tremendous fertility to garden beds!
gene says
Keven,
You sold me on my need for a portable yard vacuum/mulcher. I will be ordering one this week.
thanks
gene
Geri says
Have an older model that has a hose and drawstring top for garbage can (prevents dumping the bag multiple times). Always keep two mulchers on hand (find at garage sales) in case one goes down. Did lose one to a sweet gum seed pod although many went through. Can’t beat these leaves for compost piles and general mulching.
Mary Hoffert says
Oak leaves are allelopathic which means they will stop seeds from germinating. Do not use them or mulch from them in your flower and vegetable beds.
Justine in Victoria BC says
Hi Kevin,
I started reading and watching your wonderful blog in 2015. I think you were the first to really hit home for me the need to put mulched leaves in the garden beds in the autumn.
Five years ago we bought a new home with 16 centenarian oaks (plus Japanese plums, Japanese maples, dogwoods, apple trees, buddleia and many other deciduous shrubs). SO MANY LEAVES IN THE FALL!
I read your oak leaf blog but didn’t have a whipper-snipper or mower for the job, so I needed to explore another affordable option, and that’s when I came across the B+D vacuum/mulcher.
I used it and was happy but realized quickly it’s not for use on the entire property (would take way too long). We raked leaves into piles and would do them all at once but soon discovered the B+D didn’t work as well on wet leaves (it clogs). Plus it takes a long while.
Ultimately I decided to use the B+D for doing the driveway and brick walkways but we bought a used, gas-operated shredder/mulcher for most of the leaves (SO MANY LEAVES). You opened my eyes to this great garden bed/soil secret and I just want to thank you for helping us all to be better garden stewards! The worms are especially grateful. 🙂
Bob Lesko says
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for the demo. It looks like a good product for producing mulch and compost. The only problem is the noise. Vacuums are just as loud as many other power tools. Please wear hearing protection. WHAT?… PLEASE..WEAR…HEARING…PROTECTION! Thanks and keep up the good work.
Carol L Samsel says
I’ve used this same machine for several years and it works wonderfully!!! I have 3 acres of woods so I get enough leaves to much and plenty left over for a decent compost pile. Some years I even do the neighbors yard for them if I need extra compost.
Rosemary says
Hi Kevin !
I love your new toy. I live in an apartment now and we have a landscaping service twice a week, so I don’t get to see or even walk in too many fallen leaves but I used to love doing that. I grew up in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec and Fall was a beautiful time of year. I have raked and blown and swept at least a ton of leaves over the years. Seeing your video brought back all the fond memories and the fun we had ‘attacking’ this annual task that lasted for weeks. Thank You so much for making me feel I was once again enjoying a beautiful Fall day in the countryside. May you continue to enjoy the seasons and your beautiful property. I look forward to your weekly contact and appreciate all the love and care you shower on us. Bless You always.
Leona Bolton says
Hi Kevin,
I used that same tool for several years, but replaced it 2 years ago with the cordless version. The corded one really limited my range of use. I recharge the cordless battery the night before I plan to use it (leave it charging overnight). I begin “blowing” the whole leaves out of the beds and onto the lawn (or other area to gather all the leaves into one place). I then switch over to the vacuum mode and pick them all up. The collection bag does tend to get heavy when it is full…and I put the bag strap over my head and shoulder to keep it from falling off my arm. This tool makes a once horrible job much less horrible. And not being connected to a cord, I can go anywhere on my property. Wet leaves can be a challenge, but if you don’t try to vacuum too many at once the machine will deal with them. I’ve used the tool for several hours at a time and still had full power in the battery. With the size of your property, and the number of trees you have, I’m kind of surprised you would go with the corded version. Well, maybe after a couple years you will switch over to the cordless like I did. I did have one “uh oh” moment with the zippered bag. After emptying the full bag, I neglected to re-zip the bag. After a few moments of vacuuming again, all the shredded leaves were flying out of the bag. I never did THAT again.
Rachel Rife says
Thank you Kevin for sharing all of your experience with this machine.
I always enjoy your posts. Wish I was your neighbor but your post works also! Thank you again!
Lori says
Hi Kevin!
Your struggle is real, lol.
By luck, I have the same machine and this fall is when I decided I was going to try the vacuum mulcher. I think in the areas it’s really thick with leaves, I might just leave the bag off, letting the mulcher spew leaves to where ever they choose to land to help fertilize the lawn. I do plan to keep a bunch for the gardens…. I WISH I could do it today, but Mother Nature is being difficult. Clouds, rain sun….repeat for the last 2 hours.
PeggySue says
Tell Black and Decker they ought to pay you for your post. Case in point: I had never heard of that product but am convinced I need one and will go get one. AND (!) I have friends who will be overwhelmed with toy envy who will also buy one.
Thanks for your post and thanks for always teaching us. I love your posts.
Cindy H. says
We have been using that same Black and Decker leaf blower/vacuum to mulch the leaves for all my gardens for the past few years. We didn’t feel the leaves were mulched enough, so my husband vacuums/mulches the leaves, empties the bag and repeats the process on the leaves he just emptied. Much happier w/the results! 🙂
SLA says
I wouldn’t worry too much about any allelopathic behavior from oak or maple trees. If that were the case, why do I have SO much growing under and around all the oaks and maples on my place? 😉
http://slosson.ucdavis.edu/newsletters/Raabe_199129122.pdf
steve howells says
Probably should start at the top step for your video. And, go cordless! We went solar and lithium power several years ago. Energy efficient and less annoying to our neighbors.
Anne Taylor says
Hi Kevin I have one of these. Can’t remember if it’s a Black & Decker or a Torro. What I do know though is that the bag wears out where it connects to the machine itself. whichever brand I have does not provide replacement bags for purchase. I will check the Black and Decker and see where the replacement bags are available for that. Also, make sure you only use it when the leaves are completely dry. Wet leaves tend to block the tube into the bag and then you have to poke around in there to get the area open again.
Alicelynne says
Thanks for the demo! I have the same machine and have not yet used it. I need to get to work!!
Kirsten says
Hahahaha! I’ve had one of those for years… it doesn’t always do the best job, so I bought the same big mulcher that you have!!
Brian McClintock says
Kevin,
The part where you were endlessly trying to snap the parts together was hilarious. Thanks for the laugh and glad forvthe happy ending.
betty says
My husband watched this with me…he wondered about capacity and frequency of emptying the bag. Also about vacuuming and working with wet leaves. Any comment about either?
Jo Perkins says
I have massive amounts of long dry pine needles that fall during the windstorms, Will this work for these?
Jacquie says
Hi Kevin,
Cool tool! I do want to know if it worked as well on a gravel path or did it suck up the gravel?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jacquie – I used the vacuum on the gravel paths in my herb garden. To my delight, the machine sucked up only the leaves!