Fall is here, and some of the trees are still beautiful as they hang on to their last few leaves, while others have gone completely bare. With the wind picking up, odds are the leaves will all be on the ground soon if they aren't by the time of this reading. With all the leaves on the ground, it is time to get out and start raking or figuring out a way to dispose of them. There are plenty of options in how to handle leaves in your yard in the Gem State, but picking the wrong option could face a stiff penalty. Here are the right and wrong ways to go about handling leaves in your yard this fall.

Law For Disposing of Leaves in Idaho

Credit: Zbynek Pospisil
Credit: Zbynek Pospisil
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When it comes to handling leaves in your yard in Idaho, certain laws need to be obeyed. The good news is that there is no law stating that the leaves need to be disposed of. Certain HOAs may require residents to dispose of them in their yards, but by Idaho law, they can remain in the yard. When it comes to how they are disposed of, there are certain laws that you must obey. If using a leaf blower, it is illegal to blow leaves into the street. It is considered illegal dumping, as the leaves can impact wastewater drainage. If caught, results can be a fine or up to six months in prison. Funny enough though, you can use your leaf blower to blow them into your neighbor's yard legally, so long as you don't step foot onto their property. For more on what you legally and can't legally do with your leaf blower, click the link above. 

How to Dispose of Leaves in Idaho

Credit: Greenseas
Credit: Greenseas
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Since you legally can't blow leaves into the street, what other options are there? You can let them stay in your yard, as they are not harming anything, and odds are high with Idaho wind, that naturally, they will end up out of your yard. As stated in the paragraph above, you could be a bad neighbor and blow them into your neighbor's yard, although you won't make friends that way. You can rake them up the old-fashioned way, jump in them, and then bag them up when you are done. Once they are bagged, depending on where you live, you can dispose of them in your trash, or have them picked up. The choice is yours, so long as you don't blow them into the road.

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If you decide to face the cold and wind and take care of the leaves in the coming weeks, find which tactic works the best for you. If you don't like your neighbor, you have options, but if you want to keep the peace, help them with their leaves while also taking care of yours. If you are lucky, perhaps Mother Nature will take care of your leaves by blowing them away for you.

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