Environment, Rockville Reports

Leaf Vacuuming Makes Final Sweep This Month

The city is scheduled to conclude its fall leaf collection on Friday, Dec. 19, with crews completing the second of two rounds of vacuuming leaves from neighborhood curbs. 

An interactive map at rockvillemd.gov/leafcollection allows residents to input their address and learn when their leaves will be collected. 

Rake leaves next to, but out of, roadways, gutters and bike lanes, and away from parked vehicles. Leaves should be raked by 6 a.m. on the first day of their collection period, but no earlier than one week before the collection dates to avoid grass damage or fire hazards. Remove sticks and other objects from leaf piles. Avoid parking near leaf piles or other vehicles. After the collection period ends, use biodegradable paper lawn bags or 32-gallon trash cans (without plastic garbage bags) to set leaves out on your recycling and trash collection day. 

Sustainable Leaf Tips 

Leave some leaves where they fall or rake into garden beds to serve as natural mulch and habitat for beneficial insects that overwinter in leaves, such as butterflies, fireflies and native bees. Learn more about helping wildlife at rockvillemd.gov/backyardhabitats. 

Mow over leaves to break them into tiny pieces that can filter into the grass, providing much-needed nutrients. 

Compost leaves at home with other yard trimmings.