Leaves provide shelter for critters. According to the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, leaves can provide a winter home for butterflies, insects, chipmunks, toads, earthworms, even box turtles snuggle up under a leaf blanket.

Decomposing leaves puts nutrients back into the soil. This means you need less fertilizer come spring, which in turn saves you money. Added bonus! The fallen leaves also help to cover vulnerable plant roots, preserve soil moisture and suppress those pesky weeds with which you're always doing battle.

Reduces greenhouse gas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 10,000 tons of yard debris went into landfills in 2018. When these trimmings break down, combined with other organic waste in the landfills, it creates methane gas which is a potent greenhouse gas.

If you want to clean up your yard to make it look nicer, Clemson University suggests you should consider composting the leaves, creating a pile in a back corner of your yard, raking them into your flower beds to use as natural mulch, or using your lawnmower to mulch the leaves right in your yard.

Keep in mind it is important to make sure not all of your grass is covered in leaves. The University of Minnesota states you only want about 10-20% coverage otherwise it could smother your grass, inhibiting new growth in the spring.

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