Here are some easy ways to make fall cleanup a little easier
As you put your backyard to rest for the season, follow these tips to make your autumn backyard clean-up as smooth as possible.
- Check the weather in advance. Rainy weather can make leaves heavy and challenging to rake.
- Keep fallen leaves and other yard waste out of the street. When these organic materials wash down storm drains and into the water system, it can lead to algal blooms and other adverse side effects.
- Use compostable paper yard waste bags, not plastic garbage bags, to collect fallen leaves.
- Fall leaves can provide much-needed carbon, or “browns,” in a backyard compost. Rake leaves onto a tarp to easily transport them to your compost pile.
- Or, skip bags entirely. Use your lawn mower’s mulch setting to break leaves down into small pieces. Over time, this mulch of smaller leaf particles will break down and add nutrients to your yard.
- Larger items like sticks, branches, or shrubs won’t break down, as well as leaves and grass in a backyard compost pile. Trim them down and tie them into bundles using plastic-free garden twine. Arrange for pick up or drop off at an organic waste processing site near you.
- Do not burn dry leaves. Burning yard waste is illegal in many cities and municipalities. Even on a calm day, a gust of wind can carry burning leaves far away, potentially causing a more significant fire.
- Do include the whole family in yard clean up. Maybe even jump in your large leaf pile.
More information from your local government
Every city or suburb has slightly different rules and regulations for cleaning up fall yard waste. Be sure to double-check with your local government before starting your clean-up project.
Minneapolis
St. Paul
Minnetonka
Wayzata
Plymouth
Dakota County Yard Waste Disposal
Washington County (Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Oakdale)
Edina
Hennepin County (Minneapolis, Edina, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Mound, Orono)
Ramsey County (St. Paul, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights