As much as you're trying to ignore this fact, fall is officially here—cooler days and nights, the autumnal equinox, a (nearly harvest) full moon last month, and vibrant color already bursting forth in our yards, parks and street canopies.
Certainly enjoy this seasonal display, but realize that those pretty leaves will soon make their way onto our yards and sidewalks, into our streets and gutters. While you enjoy the color explosion this month and next, you might also wish to consider your clean-up strategy to prep your property for winter. You know, clean out those gutters. Rake that lawn. Sweep that walk. Rest assured you’ve got plenty of options for making good use of those crunchy leaves once they’re piled sky high (and your kids have taken a good jump or two!).
Compost Those Leaves
Leaves—dried and used as mulch—are a perfect addition to your yard and gardens. One easy method is to sprinkle the bounty of your Saturday afternoon raking efforts on flower and veggie beds or around tree trunks and shrubs. You could also forgo the raking and simply mow over those recently fallen for your last lawn cutting adventure this fall. Rake up the leaves and grass to add to other areas of your yard or just let the debris rest peacefully on top of your lawn where the elements will do all the work. The fall and winter weather will happily help leaves decompose to mulchify, protect, and enrich the soil underneath until it’s time for spring planting. You can also learn how to compost leaves, other yard waste, and some food waste by using METRO’s handy guide to effective composting.
Use Curbside Yard Debris Roll Carts
You already know this, but for the uninformed, your local waste management service provider will pick up your yard waste roll cart on a regular schedule (typically every other week). Find your provider and the schedule online and fill up those bins for easy clean up and take away.
Haul Your Own
METRO’s transfer stations and companies like Wood Waste Management (my fave Northeast outpost) will take truckloads of yard waste like leaves, grass and twigs for a nominal fee. Pack ‘em up and haul ‘em away. Wood Waste Management also carries a small selection of native plants, barks, mulches, and soils for purchase so when you’re at this “dump” you can also start thinking about spring planting needs like native ground covers, grasses and shrubs, and more nutrient rich soil enhancers if your yard needs the boost (which it usually does each and every year).
2010 City Street Leaf Removal Program
Clearing leaves is important—it keeps streets safe from propagating slick, gooey spots, and prevents our drains and sewers from filling and backing up. This year, the City leaf removal program will run early November through mid December in “neighborhoods with larger, more mature trees that result in large, heavy accumulation of leaves”.
Leaves are collected from Portland streets in 28 leaf districts where residents and property managers are charged for the service. The collected debris is then turned into high-quality compost. Please note that any debris that lives on sidewalks and parking strips are the responsibility of property owners and managers. This means YOU. Get sweepin’, people.
View the Bureau of Transportation's 2010 Leaf Removal Mailer and 2010 NW Clean Sweeps Mailer for leaf district boundaries, street leaf removal schedule, helpful list of dos and don'ts and more information.
2010 Leaf Depots
In 2008, the City collected over 7500 tons of leaves and “spent $732,000 to sweep 17 neighborhoods and to operate leaf depots, where people could drop off excess leaves for a nominal fee, $1 a carload or $5 a truck.” Last year, The City of Portland cut the leaf pick-up tax and halted operation of the usual leaf depots, but this year it’s game on.
Leaf Depot Locations
Beginning Saturday, November 13, depots will be open for three weekends. Depots are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
-
November 13
Lents Park and Westmoreland Park -
November 14
Gabriel Park -
November 20
Stanton Yard (2929 N Kerby) and Westmoreland Park -
November 21
Gabriel Park -
December 4
Lents Park and Westmoreland Park -
December 5
Gabriel Park
Leaf Depot Fees
- $5 per car load
- $10 per truck, SUV, or trailer load
- $20 per truck and trailer (5 cubic yard maximum)
- No commercial loads
For information regarding disposal of non-leaf yard debris, contact Metro Recycling at 503.234.3000.
In the meantime, enjoy the fall color that is quickly emerging from our beloved trees. In between football games and late Sunday brunches, you’ll need to have the rakes and brooms handy for piling up those leaves once those amazing reds, oranges and yellows begin to fade and drop.
