Plan your
fall cleanup.

Walk through the property before choosing the work. Use this checklist to separate the yard cleanup from other seasonal jobs:

• Identify fallen leaves and loose debris to clear from lawns, paths and beds, along with areas where you want leaves left undisturbed.
• Mark plants to keep and agree on selective cutbacks. Our perennial cutback guide explains why not every stem needs removing in fall.
• Review the lawn’s condition and discuss any remaining mowing or lawn-care work separately rather than treating every task as part of a cleanup.
• Check whether gutters need attention and arrange sprinkler winterization if applicable. These are separate services with their own scope.
• Plan where leaves and bags will go, clear access around seasonal decorations, and prepare for snow clearing before winter visits begin.

Timing depends on the property, leaf fall and the work involved. A checklist helps plan the jobs; it does not mean every item is needed or included in one visit.

Start with a short list: front lawn, back lawn, garden beds, side passage, driveway edges or other areas you want tidied. A request for “a fall cleanup” can mean different things to different homeowners. Naming the areas helps make the estimate useful.

Separate the work you want done from anything you want left alone. Identify plants to keep, areas where you want leaves retained and any beds you do not want disturbed. If you are unsure about a plant or cutback, flag it for discussion rather than asking for everything to be cut down.

If leaves are still falling across the property, decide whether your priority is a single later cleanup or help keeping the yard manageable in stages. One visit addresses the agreed work at that time; it cannot prevent more leaves from arriving afterwards.

For a staged approach, explain which areas need attention first and what you would like left for a later visit. Share your preferred timing when you enquire. The schedule and scope still need to be confirmed for your property.

Clover generally bags yard waste and leaves it at the property for city collection. Paid disposal can be arranged. State your preference before the estimate is confirmed, particularly if you do not have space to store bags between collections.

For Toronto properties, ordinary yard waste belongs in kraft paper bags or compliant rigid open-top containers. The City does not collect ordinary yard waste in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Soil, sod and grass clippings are not accepted in this stream, and invasive plants have separate disposal instructions. Check the City’s current yard-waste rules for the material you have.

Check your address-specific collection schedule before planning around a pickup. Store bags on your own property between collections. Do not assume that the same dates or rules apply outside Toronto.

Include your property address, the areas to clean, the work requested and any access restrictions. Photos showing the whole area are useful; closer images can show particular concerns. Photos are optional, and we will let you know if more information is needed.

Clover’s cleanup rate is $150 per hour for a two-person crew, plus HST. This is the crew rate. The total depends on the work, property condition, access and agreed scope. Ask for waste handling and any additional services to be clearly included in the estimate.

If you also want gutter cleaning , list it separately. Yard leaves and roof gutters are different work, even when both need attention in autumn.

Before the visit, arrange gate access and move portable items out of the agreed work areas where practical. Point out irrigation components, lighting cables, decorations and anything else that may be hidden under leaves. Tell the crew where bagged waste should be stored.

If you have a budget or a limited amount of work in mind, say which jobs matter most before scheduling. A clear order of priorities helps everyone understand what the visit is intended to accomplish.