Fall is officially here, and with it comes the big question: what are you doing with all those fallen leaves? Whether you’re already out there with a rake, planning to mulch them with your mower, or waiting for our curbside collection, here is everything you need to know about how leaf season works in Wauwatosa this year.
How Weather Drives the Schedule
You might wonder why we don’t set a firm end date for leaf collection right at the start of October. The short answer is: weather. 
Factors like temperature, rainfall, wind, and that first hard frost all dictate when trees drop their leaves. A mild fall can slow things down, while a sudden cold snap can drop everything overnight. Because the peak of leaf fall shifts from year to year, we evaluate conditions continuously through the fall season rather than guessing a final date in advance.
Keep an eye on our website and social media channels as the season progresses. Once we announce the final day to rake leaves into the street, we ask that you stop placing new piles out. This gives our crews the window they need to make a thorough final pass and clear the streets before winter weather arrives.
Track Us Online
Our Department of Public Works officially started collecting leaves on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. If you are wondering when crews will be on your street, you can follow their progress in real-time using our interactive map. We update it throughout the season so you always know where we are working.
Have You Considered Mulching?
If you want to save yourself some raking, we actually encourage you to consider mulching your leaves right into your lawn this year. It comes with a few major perks:
- It is great for your grass: Shredding your leaves allows them to break down naturally, returning valuable nutrients and organic matter straight to your soil so you can use less fertilizer.
- It protects our water quality: Keeping leaves out of the street stops them from washing into storm drains and local waterways, where decaying organic matter can hurt water quality.
- It helps our city budget: The fewer leaves we have to collect, transport, and compost, the more efficiently we can manage our resources and taxpayer dollars.
Quick Tips for Curbside Piles
If you are putting leaves out in the street for pickup, please keep these quick guidelines in mind:
- Place your leaves in the street at the curb, and make sure storm drains stay completely clear.
- Leave branches and other woody yard waste out of your leaf piles.
- Avoid putting piles near corners and crosswalks so drivers and pedestrians have clear sightlines.