Canvas or non-plastic tarps?

[wahoowad]

I need a couple different size durable canvas tarps. I want a really large one for raking leaves onto it and perhaps a smaller one for other misc chores. Any leads on where to shop for good deals on canvas tarps?

 

[Jon1270]

A leaf-hauling-sized piece of canvas sounds really heavy, especially if it gets wet, in which case it seems like it would be a pain to dry out. How about a nylon mesh tarp like these? The reviews look good.

 

[wahoowad]

You make a good point about the potential weight of canvas but I can't see that nylon being durable enough to be dragged across my ground. At times it might be drug across my gravel driveway, other times brush in the woodline as I dump the tarp.

 

[kevin j]

Check craigslist for the recycled billboard things
Pretty cheap use til torn and cut another piece

 

[jeffesonm]

old thick blanket/sheet?

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Check craigslist for the recycled billboard things
Pretty cheap use til torn and cut another piece

You'll grow old and dies waiting for that stuff to tear. It's tough.

 

[motoguy]

What about some TyVek (or similar) house wrap? I've got a 10-12' long partial roll of that stuff I picked up from somewhere...

 

[DickRussell]

I never found use of a tarp particularly easy for raking/transporting leaves. But every situation is different - smooth vs rough terrain, uphill haul vs level, etc. I first used a large cardboard box, stuffing it full of dry leaves, then just picking it up and walking uphill with it. But a box doesn't last too long. Then I switched to a 30 gallon plastic barrel with handles. That you can stuff full more easily, and the handles make carrying it easy. But if the leaves are wet, the added weight is a problem. Carrying that gets old, mainly because I got old. Now I use a yard cart, with those big 20" bicycle tires. I stuff it full as I can and wheel it away. If some leaves are dry, but the ones under are wet, I try to load the dry ones first, as those don't compact as well. I load the wet ones on top to hold the light ones down better. But every yard is different, as is every solution to leaves.