Early November is peak leaf season in Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Villa Park, Elmhurst and Oak Brook. Maples are mostly down, oaks are still holding on, and every gust brings a fresh layer onto lawns, beds and driveways. Here is what to do with all of them before the snow comes.
Why leaves cannot stay on the lawn all winter
A thin scattering of leaves does little harm. A thick, wet layer is different. Once leaves mat down, they block sunlight, trap moisture against the grass and stay that way under the snow for months.
That combination is what leads to snow mold, the gray or pinkish matted patches many lawns show in March and April, along with thin or dead spots where the leaves sat longest. Clearing leaves before the first lasting snow is one of the best things you can do for next spring’s lawn.
Mulch them or remove them?
A simple rule of thumb: if you can still see plenty of grass through the leaves, you can usually mulch them. Run the mower over the lawn and chop the leaves into small pieces that settle down into the grass and break down over the winter.
If the leaves cover the lawn completely, or they are wet and piled up along fences and beds, mulching will just leave a thick layer of chopped leaves on top of the grass. At that point they need to be raked or blown off and hauled away.
When to schedule a fall cleanup
Timing is a balance between waiting for the trees to finish and beating the snow. For most western suburbs yards:
- Light-tree yards: one cleanup in mid to late November is often enough.
- Yards with mature maples and oaks: plan on two visits, one in early to mid November and a final one after the last leaves drop.
- Before the first lasting snow: leaves trapped under snow are the ones that cause the most damage, so do not let the final cleanup slip too far into December.
Do not forget the beds and edges
Leaves pile up in the places that are easy to ignore: along fences and foundations, in window wells, around shrubs and against the curb. Leaves left packed around shrubs and perennials hold moisture against the stems all winter. Clearing them out, and cutting back spent perennials at the same time, leaves the beds clean and ready for fresh mulch in spring.
Many villages in the area also run fall leaf collection programs with their own dates and rules. If you handle leaves yourself, check your village website before raking everything to the curb.
What a StoneRidge fall cleanup includes
- Leaf removal from lawns, beds and along fences and foundations
- Cutting back perennials and ornamental grasses that are done for the year
- Clearing leaves off walks, patios and driveways
- A final mowing where needed
- Haul-away of all leaves and yard waste
We schedule fall cleanups for homes and commercial properties across Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Villa Park, Elmhurst and Oak Brook.
Want the leaves gone before the snow? Request a free fall cleanup quote or call or text (630) 376-8880.