Leaves in Meridian Hill / Malcolm X Park

Elvert Barnes / Flickr

In between the Nats’ parade and donning that Halloween costume one last time this weekend, don’t forget the momentous day on the horizon: the beginning of leaf collection season.

Leaf collection begins on Monday, Nov. 4, and will last through Jan. 24. Each street will have two scheduled collection weeks, and residents are required to rake leaves into their tree box (or at the curb if there is no tree box) the Sunday before. The Department of Public Works developed an app that sends a friendly reminder before your scheduled weeks (find your scheduled week here.)

While dedicating your Sunday afternoon to raking leaves may not be something to look forward to, the end of street sweeping might be. Motorists can say goodbye to forgot-to-move-the-car-to-the-other-side-of-the-street tickets until the season resumes in March.

In other fall cleanup news, here’s a list of places to take your pumpkins before they become squirrel food.

But back to the leaves: If you usually use a gas-powered leaf-blower, you may want to make the most of it this autumn. Last year, the D.C. Council passed legislation outlawing the sale or use of gas-powered leaf blowers in the District. But it doesn’t kick in until Jan. 1, 2022.

Otherwise, here are the dos and don’ts of leaf collection, from DPW:

Do Don’t
  • Place only piles of leaves in tree boxes or at the curb for collection
  • Bring leaves, tree limbs, overgrowth from your alley, and other yard debris to the Fort Totten Leaf Disposal Site
  • Report clogged storm drains
  • Download the “MyDPW” app to stay updated on scheduling changes
  • Rake leaves into tree boxes or to the curb after your scheduled collection
  • Place limbs, bricks, dirt, or rocks into tree boxes at the curb for collection
  • Sweep leaves, trash, or debris into gutters
  • Place leaves in the street

 

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Filed Under: department of public works, leaf collection, leaves,