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Re:How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowe... by gumby on Sunday March 10, 2019 @01:13PM (#19352947)
Not mentioned is that leaf blowers blow away the topsoil and little bugs that maintain it. The ground becomes hard and no longer water permeable (it’s why the suburban ground in California looks — and acts — like concrete.

My gardeners don’t use leaf blowers and people are always asking what chemicals I use to keep my garden looking so lush. I don’t use any of those either; the process is called “nature”.

Re:How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowe... by dbcurtis on Sunday March 10, 2019 @01:39PM (#19353098)
> it’s why the suburban ground in California looks — and acts — like concrete.

Look, I am as fanatical about soil biome issues as anyone that you are going to find, but your assertion is overly simplistic. If you look at a soil type map for large parts of Sili Valley, you will see big chunks labeled "Adobe". As in clay. As in it doesn't percolate. As in naturally sparse in organic matter. As in gardening contractors in Milpitas own not rent jackhammers, and it has nothing to do with the long term effects of leaf blowers.

Re:How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowe... by gumby on Sunday March 10, 2019 @03:39PM (#19353907)
Yes, but the topsoil has been blown away exposing that clay.

You just have to look at the "nature strip" in front of my house compared to my neighbors on the same street. We're all on the same terrain. Mine is the only one with grass (and flowers despite people getting out of cars and treading on them).

Re:How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowe... by djpilot on Monday March 11, 2019 @03:50AM (#19357340)
Maybe blown away by wind and / or burned dry by the summer heat.

You seem out of touch with reality (I intend this in the gentlest way possible).

Re:How a small group of activists got gas-powered leaf blowe... by jonstewart on Sunday March 10, 2019 @02:11PM (#19353284)
DC is far wetter than the populous places in California so I don’t think we are susceptible to this problem.