Leaves changing color are a beautiful sight, but knowing those falling leaves have to be raked? Not as exciting. But never fear! We’re here to help with the basics of fall yard care.  

Whether you’re a green thumb or a lawn care novice, here are a few tips to maintain your yard this fall.

1. Don’t Burn Yard Waste

While adding your yard waste to a fire pit and taking a match to it may seem like the fastest disposal solution, it’s actually against the law.  

Smoke from burning yard waste is a form of particulate matter (PM) pollution. Fine PM is small enough to enter the blood stream through the lungs, impacting both respiratory and cardiovascular health. This is especially troublesome for children, older adults, and those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiac conditions (like asthma or heart disease).

2. Get Rid of Your Yard Waste the Right Way

Bring your yard waste to one of Mecklenburg County’s full-service recycling centers. These sites accept items such as leaves, brush, grass clippings, limbs and more, for a small fee. Most municipalities also accept yard waste put out on the curb but check your local municipality for details.  

tree limbs in a yard

3. Clear Your Storm Drains

Sticks, leaves, and debris—all things that do not belong in a storm drain.  

As you rake leaves and twigs off your lawn, keep them clear of the drain. Whatever enters our storm drains enters our waterways. An excess of leaves and organic debris can make it harder for fish and other organisms to breathe, as well as clog streams and creeks. Removing leaves and debris also helps reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rain.  

bags of Queen City Compost

4. Give Your Lawn a Boost

Compost can do wonders for your soil health, while applying a layer of mulch around plants can insulate their roots and help them retain moisture during colder months. Both mulch and compost are available for purchase at full-service recycling centers.  

5. Scoop the Poop

There are more than 55,000 registered dogs in Mecklenburg County. These four-legged friends produce more than 15 million pounds of waste each year. That’s a lot of waste…and a lot of bacteria.  

Pet waste contains harmful microorganisms such as roundworms, E. Coli, and Giardia, some of which can last in your yard for as long as four years. And the effects go past the boundaries of your lawn as well; rainwater can pick up bacteria and carry it into our waterways. In fact, pet waste is one of the leading causes of bacterial contamination in our creeks. So, make sure you scoop the poop, bag it and put it in the trash.  

Following these five simple tips not only enhances your lawn but contributes to a better community for all. Now sit back and enjoy those falling leaves with the confidence of someone who knows that fall lawn care is a breeze!