What it covers
Commercial fall cleanup, done in the right order
Most properties need two or three passes between late October and early December, because trees do not drop their leaves on one schedule.
Leaf removal
Leaves blown and vacuumed off turf, beds, islands, walks and the parking lot, and hauled away — not blown into the neighbor’s lot or the basin.
Drains and inlets
Leaves cleared from catch basin grates and inlets before they freeze over — the most common cause of winter ponding. Basins themselves are covered under stormwater maintenance.
Final cuts and beds
A last mow at the right height, perennials cut back, beds edged and cleaned so spring starts clean.
Winter prep
Snow stakes along curbs and islands, irrigation shut down where we manage it, and the winter site map walked with your snow crew.
Why it matters
Leaves left behind cost more in spring
Skipping or rushing a fall cleanup shows up later:
Dead turf in April
A wet leaf mat over winter smothers grass and invites disease. Spring repair costs more than the cleanup did.
Slips and liability
Wet leaves on walks and lots are slick long before the first snow.
Clogged drains and ponding
Leaves wash into inlets, then freeze. The water that should drain refreezes across the lot.
Snow on top of debris
Plows push leaf litter into piles that sit until spring melt, and stain pavement and beds.
Timing
When fall cleanup happens in Central New Jersey
Leaf drop runs from late October through early December. Our month-by-month grounds calendar shows where it fits in the year.
Late October
First pass: early-dropping trees, beds cut back, drains checked.
Mid November
Main pass when most leaves are down; turf, islands and pavement cleared.
Late November
Final pass on late trees such as oaks; final mow; snow stakes set.
Before the first storm
Inlets cleared again and the site handed over to the winter route.
How many fall cleanup visits does a property need?
Most commercial sites need two or three. Properties with mature oaks often need a late pass in December.
Can leaves be mulched into the lawn instead of hauled?
Light leaf cover can be mulch-mowed into turf. Heavy cover has to come off, or it smothers the grass.
Is it too late to book this year?
No. November is the main pass, and there is still time to get on the route.
Can fall cleanup be part of a year-round contract?
Yes — it is one of the seasonal visits in our landscape management program, and it hands straight over to snow.
Do you haul the leaves away?
Yes. Leaves and debris leave the property.
Keep going
Related grounds services
Fall cleanup sits between the grounds season and the winter one.
