What are the rules for fall fertilizing and leaf disposal in Springfield, MA?

By Luis Sierra, 413 Home Pros · Updated 2026-10-23 · Sources linked inline

Short answer: Massachusetts lets homeowners and lawn companies fertilize in the fall, but not on frozen, snow-covered, saturated or dormant brown turf, and phosphorus fertilizer is allowed only when a soil test shows a need or when a lawn is being established, patched or renovated (330 CMR 31.00). UMass Extension says most lawn fertilizer belongs in September and late fall (November). Leaves are banned from Massachusetts trash, so Springfield collects them curbside in paper leaf bags or handled barrels on alternating recycling days from April through December, and residents can drop them off free at Bondi's Island.

Fall fertilizer: what Massachusetts allows

Massachusetts regulates lawn fertilizer through the plant nutrient rules at 330 CMR 31.00, which apply to homeowners and professionals alike. According to the MDAR fact sheet for turf and lawns (January 2018):

Phosphorus only when needed. Phosphorus-containing fertilizer may be applied only when a soil test shows a need or when a lawn is being established, patched or renovated. A soil test is valid for three years and must come from the UMass Extension lab or a lab using UMass methods.
Small exemptions. The phosphorus limits don't apply to one application per 12 months at no more than 0.25 lb of P2O5 per 1,000 sq ft, or to products with 0.67% or less available P2O5.
No applications to frozen or snow-covered soil, to saturated or frequently flooded soil, or to drought-dormant, cold-dormant or otherwise brown turf.
Keep back from water: at least 20 feet from waterways with a broadcast spreader, or 10 feet with a drop spreader or other targeted method.
Records for pros only. Professional applicators must keep application records for three years; homeowners don't (330 CMR 31.07).

When to feed a lawn in Western Mass

UMass Extension's soil lab says most lawn fertilizer should go down in late summer/early fall (September) and late fall (November), when root growth is greatest, with only a single light nitrogen application in spring. It adds that limestone can take 4 to 6 months to raise soil pH, so fall is a good time to lime if a soil test calls for it (up to 50 lbs per 1,000 sq ft per application on an existing lawn), and that nothing should be applied to very wet or frozen soil. In practice, that means a November feeding has to happen before the ground freezes.

Leaves and yard waste in Springfield

Leaves and yard waste are on MassDEP's list of materials banned from disposal, so they can't go in the trash cart. Springfield DPW's yard waste page sets the local rules:

Rule	Springfield DPW
Curbside schedule	Alternating weeks on your recycling day, April through December; out by 6:30 a.m.
Containers	32-gallon barrel with handles or 30-gallon paper leaf bags; no plastic bags; under 40 lbs each
Brush and branches	Twigs under 2 ft long and 1/2 in. thick go in bags or barrels; branches up to 3 in. wide and 4 ft long, tied in bundles
Not collected	Logs and stumps (accepted at the drop-off for a fee)
Free drop-off	Bondi's Island (Route 5, Agawam) for Springfield and Agawam residents, Mon–Fri 7:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m., plus fall-season Saturdays 7 a.m.–noon

Check the City's 2026–2027 recycling calendar for your week, or call 3-1-1 ((413) 736-3111). Collected leaves go to the Springfield Regional Compost Site on Bondi's Island. Outside Springfield, check your own town's public works department; our town pages for Chicopee, West Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow and Ludlow are a starting point.

Hiring a lawn care or landscaping company

Most landscaping needs no HIC or permit. Mass.gov's HIC guidance lists routine landscaping, patios and landscape masonry as needing no HIC registration, CSL or building permit, but masonry walls over 4 feet can need a CSL and a permit.
Weed, grub and insect control is different. UMass Extension's pesticide education program explains that applying pesticides on someone else's property for hire requires a Massachusetts pesticide applicator (Core) license, and restricted-use products require a commercial certification. Ask any company offering weed or grub control for its license number.
Ask about soil testing. A company that adds phosphorus should be able to show a current soil test, since the state rules require one.
Get the fall plan in writing: number of leaf cleanup visits, whether leaves are hauled away or left curbside, and the date of any late-fall feeding.

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FAQ

Is it legal to fertilize my lawn in November in Massachusetts?

Generally yes, if the ground isn't frozen, snow-covered or saturated and the grass isn't dormant and brown. Massachusetts plant nutrient rules (330 CMR 31.00) ban applications in those conditions rather than setting a calendar cutoff, and UMass Extension lists late fall (November) as one of the two main times to fertilize a lawn.

Can I use fertilizer with phosphorus on my lawn?

Only if a soil test from the last three years shows the lawn needs phosphorus, or when you are seeding, patching or renovating a lawn. MDAR's fact sheet also exempts one light application per year (no more than 0.25 lb of P2O5 per 1,000 sq ft) and products with 0.67% or less available P2O5. Look for a 0 as the middle number on the bag.

Can I put leaves in the trash in Springfield?

No. Leaves and yard waste are on MassDEP's list of materials banned from disposal. Springfield DPW collects yard waste curbside on alternating weeks on your recycling day from April through December, in a 32-gallon barrel with handles or 30-gallon paper leaf bags (no plastic bags), each under 40 lbs.

Where can I drop off leaves in Springfield?

The Bondi's Island drop-off on Route 5 in Agawam takes yard and leaf waste from Springfield and Agawam residents at no charge, Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., plus Saturday mornings during the fall leaf season. The City asks residents to call 413-787-7840 to confirm the Saturday schedule.

Does a lawn care or landscaping company need a license in Massachusetts?

Routine landscaping, patios and landscape masonry generally don't need a Home Improvement Contractor registration, a Construction Supervisor License or a building permit, per Mass.gov's HIC guidance. Anyone who applies pesticides (weed, grub or insect control) on another person's property for hire needs a Massachusetts pesticide applicator license from MDAR, and restricted-use products need a commercial certification.

This guide is general information, not professional, legal or tax advice. Figures change; check the linked sources. Found an error? Email info@413homepros.com.

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