NOTTINGHAM, MD—Baltimore County officials are reminding residents that raking or blowing leaves and grass trimmings into the gutter or street is unsafe, potentially damaging to the Chesapeake Bay, and illegal.

Leaves in the gutter can lead to fires and endanger children who might try to play in the leaves. Leaves and grass trimmings can also clog drains and, if the leaves do get to the bay, cause algae blooms. Algae blooms absorb oxygen and light that fish and aquatic plants need to survive.

Instead of raking or blowing these yard materials into the gutter, Baltimore County suggests that residents compost them. Composting leaves and grass trimmings is an easy way to produce an environmentally friendly soil additive for use in gardens.

Another option for Baltimore County residents is to simply mulch fallen leaves with a lawn mower and leave them on the ground, providing a great natural fertilizer for lawns as the leaves decompose. Mulched leaves can also be collected and used around plants, garden beds, under shrubs and hedges and under trees. The mulch will keep the soil moist and protect the roots of the plants.

Baltimore County residents who choose to bag their yard materials should put them out where they normally place their trash, in accordance with their trash and recycling collection schedule.

Residents are reminded to use paper or plastic lawn and leaf bags to set out their yard materials, not trash cans or any other type of container.

For more information on how to handle yard materials at home, residents may call 410-887-2000.