As the D.C. area approaches peak fall foliage, leaf collection in Arlington is never far behind.
The county’s first round of fall leaf collection begins in two weeks, on Monday, Nov. 9, and will continue Monday through Saturday until the end of November. A second pass will take place in December.
Collection is staggered by civic association in Arlington, so residents should check the county’s online schedule or look for yellow signs that will be posted around neighborhoods three to seven days before each pass.
Residents should plan on raking leaves to the curb prior to the posted start date. The county offers the following tips for a successful leaf collection:
- Don’t pile leaves on the curb more than seven days in advance of a scheduled vacuum leaf collection, as it can interfere with vehicle traction, block traffic and limit street parking.
- Keep leaf piles away from storm drains, water meter covers, low wires and parked cars.
- Similarly, don’t pile leaves in the middle of sidewalks, to help keep them accessible for our neighbors who use wheelchairs, strollers or other mobility devices and who cannot move easily around blocked sidewalks.
- Remove stones, litter, branches and other debris from leaves to prevent equipment damage and worker injuries.
- Don’t place leaves in plastic bags or trash carts.
- Never park your car on leaf piles—it’s a fire hazard.
- Drive slowly around leaf trucks, especially when passing.
- Always look out for children or pets playing in and around curbside leaf piles.
An interactive map on leaf collection progress will go live on Nov. 10.
Alternatively, leaves can be bagged in paper yard waste bags — available for free at several locations around Arlington — or mulched for composting using a lawnmower or leaf shredder. The county offers the following tips for mulching:
- Mulching can be done with a lawnmower or a leaf shredder. Ensure mower blades are sharp and remove bag before chopping leaves.
- Leave shredded leaves on your lawn or pile them three to four inches deep on garden beds and around shrub roots. This serves as a protective layer during the winter, suppresses weed growth, and promotes water retention.
- Rake whole leaves around the base of trees, shrubs, and garden beds to provide winter habitat for insects.
