I found out that a lawn tractor with a mower does a splendid job when it is run back and forth through my leaf pile. I do have a gas shredder/blower but like you I find it hard to start. I have problems with all two stroke gas engines, but not with four stroke and one gets tired of bothering boys for help. Bea Jane wrote. Like Peter and Mark, I always added leafmold (UK leafmould) to my bulb potting soil when I grew bulbs in plunged pots in coldframes. --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com/