Fall Leaf Care

Leaves can cause big problems for stormwater systems and water quality. You can help prevent local flooding, algae blooms and water pollution by re-using or properly disposing your fall leaves.

Reusing leaves

  1. Mulch. Prevent weeds and save money on mulch. Put chopped leaves on vegetable and flower gardens and whole leaves under shrubs or around trees.

  2. Mow. Shred smaller amounts of leaves with your lawn mower right on your lawn. The small pieces quickly break down, releasing nutrients for a green, well-fed lawn.

  3. Compost. For more advanced gardeners, chopped leaves make a great compost addition. Place composted leaves in your vegetable and flower beds. Compost is a free way to create rich soil! For more information on composting, visit Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

For more information:
Leaf Article
UWEX Leaf Publication

Leaf Disposal

If the above options are not possible, follow your municipality's guidelines for leaf collection.

City of Beaver Dam
City of Beloit
City of Fort Atkinson
City of Janesville
City of Jefferson
City of Milton
City of Watertown
City of Whitewater

City of Beaver Dam residents who receive city-sponsored solid waste collection services, are advised that starting Monday, October 4, 2010, leaves, lawn grass rakings resulting from leaf gathering, garden vines and stalks may be placed in terrace areas at the street edge, in loose piles, for  collection by Public Works Dept. personnel. This collection will continue through an announced date in late November.
Please note the following guidelines:
- Yard waste is not allowed to be placed in the street or gutter.    
- These materials must be placed loose at the curbside.  Please do not place in any container whatsoever.
- Leaves, rakings and garden debris must not be mixed with any other forms of waste such as brush or shrubbery cuttings. Separate regulations pertaining to brush and shrubbery collections are still in effect.
- Violations will be rejected and must be removed from the street side within 24 hours of the violation notice.       
- The Public Works Garage Yard Waste Drop-off Site, at 640 S. Center Street, is also available for disposal of these and other yard waste materials by City Residents. No waste of any kind will be accepted from outside of the city limits or from any contractors.      
- Questions should be directed to the Department of Public Works at 887-4635 or through the city website.   

City of Beloit offers free Fall curbside yardwaste collection from November 1-19.
Please note the following guidelines:
- Use only paper yard waste bags, back to nature biodegradable bags or clean 390 gallon or less trash containers
- Plastic bags of any type CANNOT be used for yard waste.
- Place yard waste out on your regular trash day during designated collection dates.
- Place yard waste a few feet away from your regular trash.
- There is a 60 pound weight limit for bags and yard waste containers.
- The free collection includes bagged leaves, grass and garden debris.
- Bundles of brush and shrubbery (no longer that 4 feet long or 4 inches in diameter) must include a $1.50 tag purchased from City Hall, Public Works, Grinnell Hall or Leisure Services Office.

City of Fort Atkinson leaf pick-up is conducted during the first two full weeks of November. The leaf crews start on Monday of the first week in the NE quarter and work in a counter clockwise rotation of the city. The crews will make as many rounds of the city as time allows until the end of the pick-up on Friday of the second week of November.
Please note the following guidelines:
- Residents should put leaves on the terrace for the crews to pick up. Also, residents must keep any brush or tree limbs separate from the leaves. The leaf crews are not equipped to pick up brush and will not separate mixed piles. 
- Residents are asked to not put yard-waste and leaves into the street. 
- Yard waste and leaves are considered an illicit discharge. Violations of this ordinance could lead to fines up to $1,000.
- Crews will continue to pick up leaves on an "as needed" basis as weather permits after the two week pick-up.
For more information or any questions call the City Garage at 920-563-7771.

City of Janesville - Check the website for the collection date for your street.

- The date listed for your street is tentative and can be influenced by weather conditions and equipment breakdowns.
- Residents should rake their leaves into the gutters in front of their house before the collection date. Residents may wish to place their leaves at the curb prior to the pick-up date, as collection begins at 7AM.
- City crews will collect leaves only once on each street.

City of Jefferson will be starting the Fall leaf pick up the second week in October.  Residents should rake their leaves into the gutters for pick up. 
- The crew will continue to patrol the streets of the City until all of the leaves have been collected or the snow prohibits them from continuing. 
- Please do not mix brush with leaves, as this will plug the leaf machine. 
- Residents that do not want to wait for the City crew are encouraged to take their leaves to the Compost Site.  The site is open on Saturdays from 9AM to 3PM and Wednesdays from 2PM to 6PM through November 30.  If you have any questions, please call 920-674-7737 or 920-674-7700.

City of Milton allows you to rake leaves into the street in the fall for collection. A compost bin is available for yard waste at the Public Works Garage May thru November. Leaves can be raked into the curb for pickup October and November.

City of Watertown follows a schedule for sections of the city collected each week. Find your weeks here and zone map.
- Rake leaves to the boulevard between the curb and sidewalk.
- Do not rake leaves into the street.
- Do not park vehicles in front of leaves.
If you have questions call the Street Department at 920-262-4080.

City of Whitewater Public Works will conduct leaf and yard waste collection the week of November 1-8.Collection will occure throughout the week, but please try to have your bags out on Monday November 1.
- Leaves and yard waste must be bagged in clear or non-transparent bags only. Leaves and yard waste will not be collected if not bagged properly or placed in non transparent or black bags. 
- You can get free bio-degradable leaf bags at City Hall while supplies last. The City also has clear leaf bags for sale.
- Brush will not be collected as part of the yard waste collection. Residents requesting brush collection may call 262-473-0542 to make an appointment for pickup on Tuesdays.
- The City is providing free leaf collection bags on a first come basis. The biobags are environmentally friendly as they are 100% biodegradable.
- Biobags are available at City Hall Finance Department or the City Garage at no cost.