Alexandria is hitting the peak of fall foliage in the next week or two, and for many property owners, that means it's time to start raking.
Residents in Alexandria who receive city trash collection will be able to put their fallen leaves outside for pickup starting Nov. 2.
Like past years, the city is divided into zones for collection.
The first pass is on Nov. 2 for Zone 2. Leaf collection will continue through at least the end of December through all five zones.
Crews will post signs in every neighborhood advising of collection dates and each zone will take several days to work through.
See the map and dates below for information about the first collection:
The most up-to-date information will be available throughout the fall and into the winter at www.alexandriava.gov/leafcollection.
How to Prepare
- Rake leaves out to the curb, being careful not to block storm drains or water meter lines.
- Remove stones, sticks and other debris.
- Do not park cars on leaf piles.
- Do not rake leaves into alleys or onto service roads; they will not be collected.
Information about Leaf Bags
Leaf bags are collected curbside on regular trash days starting Nov. 2 and continuing through Jan. 8, 2021.
Using biodegradable paper bags lets city staff turn your leaves into mulch, so do not use plastic bags for your leaves.
Free leaf bags are available while supplies last at multiple locations throughout Alexandria. For more information, go to www.alexandriava.gov/leafcollection.
What if I don't feel like raking?
An increasing number of environmentalists are saying you don't actually have to rake your leaves at all.
Leaving fallen leaves can damage your lawn, but instead of raking, you can choose to mulch a lot of your leaves with a mower — the resulting tiny pieces will degrade and can help add nutrients and organic matter to your lawn and soil, according to the University of Minnesota Turfgraff Sciences program. Read more here.
