West Cook News

Leaving piles of whole leaves on lawns can harm the grass, but there are better ways to use fallen leaves, according to local advice. If a lawn mower can mulch leaves finely enough for them to reach the soil, this is recommended. The chopped leaves help retain moisture, insulate roots, and break down into fertilizer by the next year. They also help suppress weeds.

If there are too many leaves to mulch directly into the lawn, raking whole leaves onto garden beds provides shelter for animals and insects such as bumble bees and butterflies.

Another option is mulching the leaves with a mower before using them as garden bed cover. Smaller leaf pieces are less likely to blow away and usually decompose by spring, adding nutrients to the soil. A two-inch layer of chopped leaves is suggested for perennial beds.

For composters, dry autumn leaves are considered an important ingredient in creating healthy compost when mixed with grass clippings or food scraps. The recommended ratio is three to five parts dry "browns" like leaves for every part of "greens." Shredding helps speed up decomposition.

Residents are reminded not to rake or blow leaves into the street because they can block drains and cause flooding. This practice is illegal in Riverside. Placing leaves in regular garbage bins should also be avoided because landfills lack oxygen needed for proper breakdown; instead, this causes methane emissions.

The village’s waste hauler collects unlimited yard waste—including bagged or canned material under 50 pounds—until the end of November (more information: https://www.riverside.il.us/306/Trash-Yard-Waste).

It is also illegal in Riverside to leave grass clippings in the street.