# Fall cleanups and spring yard cleanups in Markham URL: https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/seasonal-cleanup/ Updated: 2026-10-13 By: Hotiv Landscaping, Markham, Ontario. Call or text (437) 684-2535. **Short answer:** We clear the leaves, weeds and tired garden beds in fall and spring, so your yard is ready for winter or the growing season. In the fall that means leaves off the lawn and out of the beds, finished perennials cut back and weeds pulled. In spring we clear what winter left, edge the beds and put down mulch. It's for homeowners in Markham, Ontario and nearby who'd rather not spend two weekends on it. A yard cleanup usually comes up twice a year. In the fall the leaves are down and the beds look scruffy. In spring the yard is full of soggy leaves, broken stems and the first weeds. Fall and spring cleanups cover much the same work. Either one makes sense when raking alone won't fix the yard: a lot under a big maple or two, a yard that got away from you over the summer, or a house you've just moved into. ## What the job includes - Leaves raked and blown off the lawn, walkways and interlock - Beds cleared of leaves, dead annuals, branches and weeds - Finished perennials cut back, overgrown shrubs trimmed - A clean edge cut where the beds meet the lawn - Fresh mulch on the beds, if you want it - Weeds pulled from paver joints, then a final sweep ## Price depends on - Size of the yard and beds - How many leaves your trees drop - How long since the last cleanup - Extras like mulch or shrub trimming - How much material comes out - Access to the backyard ## What does a fall cleanup include? A fall cleanup works through the leaves, the beds, the shrubs, the edges and the hard surfaces, in that order. A spring cleanup follows the same steps: 1. Leaves come off the lawn, walkways, driveway and interlock first, so we can see what we're working with. 2. In the beds, leaves, dead annuals, fallen branches and weeds come out, and finished perennials get cut back. 3. Shrubs that have grown over a walkway or window get [trimmed back](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/hedge-trimming/). 4. We cut a clean edge where the beds meet the lawn. 5. If you want it, fresh [mulch](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/garden-beds-planting/) goes on the beds. It slows weed seeds from sprouting, and in spring it goes down once the soil has warmed, since mulch on cold soil keeps it cold longer. Our [guide to mulch](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/mulch-guide/) covers depth. 6. Weeds between pavers get cleared. If the joint sand has washed out, [new polymeric sand](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/polymeric-sand-installation/) is the longer-term fix. 7. Last, we sweep the hard surfaces so nothing gets tracked into the house. ## When should you book a fall or spring cleanup in Ontario? Book a fall cleanup once most of the leaves are down, usually late October into November around Markham. Book a spring cleanup once the lawn is firm enough to walk on without leaving footprints, often in April. | | Fall cleanup | Spring cleanup | |---|---|---| | Usual timing around Markham | Late October into November | Once the lawn is firm, often April | | Markham curbside yard pickup (2026) | Every other week, last pickup October 30 | Season starts April 7 | | What to watch for | Thick, wet leaf mats left over winter | Walking on a soggy lawn compacts the soil | The City of Markham collects [yard material](https://www.markham.ca/neighbourhood-services/recycling-garbage/yard-material) every other week from April 7 to October 30 in 2026. After the last pickup, the city lists the Bloomington compost facility in Richmond Hill as a drop-off. > **Good to know:** Markham only takes leaves in kraft paper bags or open rigid containers with no lids, never plastic bags, and each one must weigh under 18 kg. With a lot of trees, two visits can work better: one before pickup ends, one once the last leaves are down. In spring, [UConn Extension](https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/?p=19115) notes that wet soil compacts far more easily than dry soil and is hard to fix afterwards. Waiting a week beats rushing it. ## What affects the price of a yard cleanup? The price comes down to how much work and material the yard holds, so we quote after seeing it. Lot size matters, and so does how much of it is beds rather than open lawn. Trees make the biggest difference. A lot under mature maples or oaks is a different job from a newer subdivision yard with one young tree. Time matters too: a bed cleaned last fall is far quicker than one overgrown for two summers. Extras like shrub trimming, mulch or weeding interlock joints add time, and so does a lot of material to carry out of a backyard with tight access. ## How do you keep the yard tidy between cleanups? Mow over light leaf fall with a mulching mower instead of letting it pile up. Virginia Tech's extension service, citing [Michigan State University research](https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-521/430-521.html), says up to about 15 cm (6 inches) of leaves can be mulched into the lawn at a time, depending on the mower. The research also found fewer dandelions and less crabgrass. Top up the mulch when it looks thin, and pull weeds while they're small. Our guide to [fall lawn care in Ontario](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/fall-lawn-care-ontario/) covers overseeding and the rest of the lawn side. ## Should you do your own yard cleanup? A small yard with a rake, a mulching mower and a free afternoon doesn't need us. Hiring makes sense for a big leaf load, neglected beds, a lot of bagging, or not having the time or the back for it. If you'd like to do some of it yourself, our checklists for a [fall cleanup](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/fall-cleanup-checklist/) and a [spring cleanup](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/spring-cleanup-checklist/) go step by step. ## Cleanups around Markham We work across [Markham](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/areas/markham/) and nearby, including [Richmond Hill](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/areas/richmond-hill/), [Stouffville](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/areas/stouffville/) and [Thornhill](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/areas/thornhill/). Our [weed treatment and clean-up project](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/projects/weed-treatment-cleanup/) shows a garden bed along a fence before and after. The [sod, edging and mulch project](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/projects/sod-edging-mulch/) shows what an overgrown side yard can become. The quickest way to start is to [text a few photos](sms:+14376842535?&body=Hi%20Hotiv%2C%20I%27d%20like%20a%20quote.%20Here%20are%20some%20photos%20of%20the%20area%3A) of the yard to [(437) 684-2535](tel:+14376842535) with your street or postal code. We'll set up a time to come by and give you a free quote. ## Signs it's time - The lawn is covered in a thick layer of wet leaves - Garden beds are hidden under weeds and long grass - Leaves and debris have piled up along fences and in corners - Shrubs are crowding walkways or windows - Weeds are coming up between the pavers - The yard looks tired after winter and you're not sure where to start ## Questions about spring & fall cleanups ### How much does it cost to clean up a garden? It depends on the size of the yard, how many leaves your trees drop, how long the beds have gone without attention, and whether you want extras like mulch or shrub trimming. A small front yard with a few beds is a short job. A big lot under mature maples takes a lot longer. We give a free quote after we've seen the yard. ### When is the best time for a fall cleanup in Ontario? Late enough that most of the leaves are down, early enough that the ground isn't frozen or under snow. Around Markham that usually means late October into November. If you rely on curbside pickup, check your city's yard waste dates first. Markham's 2026 season ends October 30, so some people book an early pass and a second one later. ### Can I just leave the leaves on the lawn over winter? A light layer is fine, especially if you run a mulching mower over it so the pieces settle into the grass. A thick, wet mat is the problem. It blocks light, holds moisture in the grass and raises the risk of turf disease, so thin or dead patches often show up under it in spring. Clearing it, or chopping it up well, is the safer choice. ### Can you clean up a yard that has been let go for a few years? Yes. Overgrown beds take longer, but the process is the same: clear out the weeds and long grass, find the plants worth keeping, define the edges and put down mulch to slow the weeds from coming back. Our weed treatment and clean-up project shows a bed along a fence that was overgrown with weeds and long grass. ### How do I get a quote for a yard cleanup? Call or text (437) 684-2535, or send the quote form with your street or postal code. A few photos of the yard help us understand the job before we visit. We then come out to see the yard and give you a free quote. ## Related guides - [Fall cleanup checklist: what to do before winter](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/fall-cleanup-checklist/) - [Spring cleanup checklist for Ontario yards](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/spring-cleanup-checklist/) - [Fall lawn care in Ontario: overseeding, aeration and repair](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/fall-lawn-care-ontario/) - [How much mulch do you need? A calculator, the right depth and when to mulch](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/mulch-guide/) - [When to trim hedges and shrubs in Ontario](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/guides/when-to-trim-hedges-ontario/) ## Related services - [Garden beds, planting & mulching](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/garden-beds-planting/) - [Hedge & bush trimming](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/hedge-trimming/) - [Lawn mowing & lawn care](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/lawn-care/) - [Polymeric sand & weed removal](https://hotivlandscaping.ca/services/polymeric-sand-installation/)