Montgomery County will begin picking up leaves Nov. 1o, but officials prefer residents “leave the leaves.”
The county scheduled two leaf pickups over a six-week period and requests that residents not place their piles of leaves in the road.
This is the first season in which gas-powered leaf blowers are banned. The use of handheld, backpack and walk-behind gas-powered leaf removal equipment is not allowed. A violation can result in a $500 fine.
Currently, county officials are educating people about the new leaf-blower law, but “several citations” have already been issued, according to Mary Travaglini from the county’s Department of Environmental Protection.
“We are asking our residents to invest in electric leaf blowers or a rake, the old-fashioned way,” Travaglini said.
Doing nothing is a good idea, said Travalini, who spoke Tuesday during the county executive’s media briefing. Fallen leaves are good for the soil and wildlife, she said. Leaves will fertilize lawns and gardens, retain moisture, insulate roots and provide shelter for small creatures.
County officials suggest that residents compost leaves to create fertilizer, mow leaves and leave them to improve the soil and rake leaves under trees and into garden beds for natural mulch and wildlife habitats.
For more information, go to the Department of Transportation’s website for details. Type in an address to see when leaves will be collected there.
