The City of Hartford (AKA your tax dollars) continues to provide leaf collection services at no extra cost.

This should require minimal explanation, but in its materials the Department of Public Works has had to clarify that leaves be placed loose curbside or in biodegradable paper bags; residents have put them in plastic bags in previous years.

Curbside leaf collection is not year-round, but a service provided from October-December. If you are willing to go the extra step by putting the leaves in bags, those will be picked up on your normal trash and recycle collection day during the seven-week period that begins October 31.

If that option does not work for you, rake the leaves to the curb. Do not put the leaves in the street; you will impede bicycle and motor vehicle traffic. Do not put the leaves on the sidewalk; you will impede pedestrian traffic. That no man’s land where dogs like to do their business is where the leaves go. They will be picked up by the vacuum truck on two days which are determined by location. You can figure out what those dates are by going to the interactive map and clicking on your address.

If bagging and raking leaves on someone else’s schedule is just too intense for you, bring bagged leaves to the Bulky Waste & Recycling Center (180 Leibert Road) year-round, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. But, to do that, you need to get a free Green Permit from 50 Jennings Road, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday through Friday.