Before you light a leaf pile this fall, check the burn ban. The Bolivar City Fire Department put one in place on September 4 because of drought, and it stays in effect until the department lifts it. Until then, you can mulch leaves with your mower, compost them, or haul brush to the city's disposal site. Fall is also a good time to test your soil and plant trees.
Fallen leaves in Bolivar, Missouri.
Is there a burn ban in Bolivar right now?
Yes, as of October 12, 2026. The Bolivar City Fire Department's burn ban notice says open burning of any kind isn't allowed inside city limits. The notice also says the Polk County Commission issued a ban for the whole county. The city's ban lasts until further notice.
To find out if the ban has ended, call the fire department at 417-328-5853, or check its news page and Facebook page.
Bolivar's leaf and brush burning rules once the ban lifts
When no ban is in effect, the city's open burning rules allow you to burn yard waste. The code defines yard waste as leaves, grass clippings, and yard and garden plants. It doesn't cover stumps, roots, or shrubs with the root ball still attached.
- Time of day. Burn only between sunrise and sunset, unless the fire department says otherwise.
- Pile size. A pile can be up to 10 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 5 feet high.
- Rows and ditches. You can burn in short rows or in the ditch in front of a house. Keep these piles 2 feet tall or less, and keep the fire off sidewalks and streets.
- Where not to burn. Don't burn under power, phone, or TV lines.
- Someone stays with it. An adult 18 or older must watch the fire until it's out.
- Tools nearby. Keep a rake and a hose close by.
The code doesn't allow burning household trash, treated wood, tires, plastics, or building materials. Stumps, roots, and bigger fires need a written permit from the fire department after an inspection. The department doesn't have to issue one.
Mulch leaves with your mower
You don't need a fire to get leaves off the grass. Leaves left in a thick layer can block sunlight and hold moisture, which raises the risk of lawn disease. That comes from University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein in MU's advice on fall leaves.
His method:
- Mow while the leaves are damp, with the mower at its highest setting.
- Mow in a crisscross pattern.
- Go over the yard twice so the leaves break into small pieces. The pieces settle into the lawn, break down, and feed the grass.
Oak leaves are stiff and don't mat, so they work well as mulch. Trinklein suggests putting them inside a wire cylinder around tender shrubs, such as azaleas, to hold them in place.
Compost what you rake
The same MU article explains how to build a compost pile from leaves:
- Spread 4 to 6 inches of shredded leaves.
- Add a nitrogen source, such as 1 to 2 inches of grass clippings or manure.
- Water each layer until it feels damp but not wet.
- Repeat until the pile is about 3 to 4 feet deep.
Turn the pile when it cools and settles. The compost is done when the pile no longer heats up after you turn it.
Taking brush to the city site
The City of Bolivar runs a yard waste, brush, and tree disposal site. City code (Section 220.105) sets out who can use it:
- Residents. You can drop off debris from your home for personal, family, or household use. You need a current, valid driver's license.
- Hired crews. Contractors and other hired haulers can't use the site for a customer's debris. If you hire someone to clear your yard, ask how they'll dispose of it.
- Businesses. Businesses with property in Bolivar city limits can bring debris from that property.
The code lets the city set operating rules and fees. Those rules are kept at the City Clerk's office. Call City Hall at 417-326-2489 for the site's location, hours, and fees before you load the truck.
If brush goes out with your trash instead, the city code asks for limbs under 4 inches across to be tied in bundles. Each bundle should be no more than 4 feet long, 18 inches across, and 75 pounds. Check with your trash hauler about pickup.
Test your soil before you fertilize
Fall is a good time for a soil test, according to MU Extension's fall lawn guidance. The results show what your lawn needs, so you don't pay for fertilizer it doesn't need. Extra fertilizer can also wash into streams.
MU Extension in Polk County is at 110 E. Jefferson St. in Bolivar, phone 417-326-4916. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed from noon to 1 p.m. Call to ask how to collect your sample and send it in. MU's soil sample form goes to the university's lab in Columbia.
Should you still seed the lawn?
MU says September is the best time to seed tall fescue and other cool-season grasses. New grass needs about four to six weeks to grow three or more full leaves before the first killing frost. By mid-October, that window is closing. If your lawn has bare spots, plan to seed next September and use this fall's soil test to get ready.
If you aerate this fall, MU suggests spreading seed the same day.
Plant trees and shrubs before November
Fall is a good season for planting trees and shrubs because roots keep growing while the soil is still warm. MU's David Trinklein says trees and shrubs should be planted from September until the end of October at Missouri's latitude. After that, roots may barely grow until spring.
His planting tips:
- Don't plant deeper than the tree grew in its container.
- Dig a wide, shallow hole.
- Water the root ball well after planting. Keep it moist through dry spells, but don't overwater.
- Spread mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, and keep it under 1 inch deep next to the trunk.
Common questions about fall yard work in Bolivar
Can you burn leaves in Bolivar, MO?
Not while the burn ban is in place. When there's no ban, city code allows yard waste burning from sunrise to sunset in piles up to 10 by 10 by 5 feet. An adult has to watch the fire, with a rake and a hose nearby.
Who do you call about burning in Bolivar?
Call the Bolivar City Fire Department at 417-328-5853.
Where can you take brush in Bolivar?
The city runs a yard waste, brush, and tree disposal site for residents with a valid driver's license. Call City Hall at 417-326-2489 for its location, hours, and fees.
Where can you get a soil test in Polk County?
Start with MU Extension in Polk County at 110 E. Jefferson St., 417-326-4916. Its staff can tell you how to collect a sample and send it to MU's lab.
Before you start, check that the burn ban is still in effect, then decide where your leaves will go. Mulch what the lawn can take, compost the rest, and get any trees in the ground before November.
