Grab your rake. It’s that time of year again — when carved pumpkins have seen better days and the autumn colors fill our gutters.

In the spirit of end-of-the-year yard cleaning, we’re giving you some pro tips + tricks on what to do with your yard waste.

🍂 Accepted yard waste items

The following items are accepted by Asheville City’s Sanitation Division. To dispose of leaves, brush, and tree clippings, place the items in an open bag or container labeled “brush.” Place the container of yard waste items on the curb by 7 a.m. on Monday of your pickup week; do not block the street or sidewalks. See the pickup schedule.

Leaves
Pine needles
Pinecones
Shrub trimmings
Brush smaller than four feet in length and six inches in diameter

🍂 Leaf drop-off sites

Buncombe County offers leaf drop offs year round.

Buncombe County Landfill | 85 Panther Branch Rd., Alexander | Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. + Saturday 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Leaves can be recycled for the cost of $1 per every two bags; cash, check, and credit cards are accepted forms of payment.

🎃 Compost

Give your Jack O’Lantern a second life. You can opt for valet composting with Compost AVL, a membership-based composting service that allows you to track your compost creation and donate it to local community gardens. Or register for Asheville City’s and Buncombe County’s Food Scrap Drop Off Pilot Program. There are also several compost drop-off locations.

🎃 Feed the birds

Provide the chickadees and cardinals with their own holiday feast and turn your pumpkin into a birdfeeder. Simply cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, and fill with birdseed. Tie two lengths of twine around the bottom to hang in your backyard.

Head to Wild Birds Unlimited at 946 Merrimon Ave. to find the best birdseed for your backyard visitors.