Leave Your Leaves!

Divert your leaves from the landfill. Here are some options to consider to manage the downfall of leaves that will be less work for you, better for the environment, and may save you money.

Love Your Lawn

Thick layers of leaves can kill the grass, but mulched leaves break down quickly. They add nutrients to the soil and help keep weeds from returning. Use your lawnmower to shred leaves into small pieces and they will disappear right into the lawn by spring.

Nurture Nature

Fallen leaves provide essential habitats for local wildlife, including butterflies, bumblebees, fireflies, frogs, toads, and earthworms, many of which overwinter in leaf litter. By leaving leaves on your lawn, you support beneficial insects that pollinate your garden and help maintain a balanced ecosystem. Birds also rely on leaves to find hidden insects for food and use them to build nests in the spring, making your yard a welcoming home for wildlife year-round.

Protect Your Plants

Pile leaves around your perennial plants, bushes, and shrubs to provide winter protection from snow and freezing. A heavy layer of shredded leaves can also be used to cover hardy vegetables such as carrots, leeks, or beets so you can enjoy them all winter. In the Spring, work the leaves into the soil, add them to your composter, or mulch them into your lawn.

Support Your Soil

Compost a large pile of leaves by choosing a wind-protected spot or create a simple chicken wire cage for your leaves. In just a year, the pile will break down into nutrient-rich compost. Leaf mold is a natural soil amendment perfect for spring planting. Dig to the bottom for the best fertilizer.

Keep a small pile of leaves near your composter to mix with nitrogen-rich food scraps for a balanced compost that works quickly and prevents odors.

You can also create a new garden bed by layering leaves where you'd like to plant in spring, allowing them to decompose over winter.

Township Services

Leaf Pick-Up Dates

Leaf collection will be provided on the following dates. Leaves must be in paper bags and weigh no more than 11kg/25lbs. Bags must be at the curb by 7:00AM on the scheduled day. This service is WEATHER DEPENDANT to please check for updates on our Township Facebook Page.

Ripley and Lucknow – November 6, 2024
Lakeshore, Point Clark to Huronville – November 7, 2024

Yard Waste Depots (closing mid November)

Leaves can be taken to the Yard Waste Depots which are open 24/7 at two locations

2083 Concession 6 E, beside Huron Landfill
907 Havelock St., south of soccer fields

Our Yard Waste Depots will take the following:

Leaves or garden waste, must be bagged in paper bags.
Brush
Branches under 6”

Reminder: No logs, stumps, construction material, household garbage or large dump loads. Dump loads of leaves may be taken to the landfill on the days it is open.

Looking for Leaves?

The Township partners with local farmers to provide leaf mulch for their agricultural needs, enriching their soil naturally and reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This collaboration also helps divert leaves from landfills, reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable, eco-friendly community.

If you are interested in receiving large truckloads of leaves for this purpose, please contact the Public Works Administrative Assistant at 519-395-3735, x133.

Managing Your Fall Leaves