Finally, there is a neighbors maple tree dropping leaves all over my garden. I have been raking faithfully but losing a lot of mulch in the process. You can still plant spring-flowering bulbs, especially tulips and daffodils. Leave the other plants alone, except for the hydrangeas which you prune down to the ground or just prune the puny branches. Mulch those areas where you have perennials and use the dead maple leaves for your compost pile.
Most experts say no to doggie do.
There may be things in it that are not good for the rest of the pile. Congratulations for keeping an orange tree. It's not an easy matter. My only tree, a magnolia, had to be removed. As the magnolia roots were the cause of the problem, I really don't want another medium to large tree.