Garden expert, Victoria Crenshaw, has suggested that keeping leaves in your yard during the colder months can provide ecological benefits to your local environment. The leaves, which provide shelter for beneficial insects and act as a natural fertilizer, provide nutrient-rich organic matter as they break down. They can also be used as a protective mulch layer for plants during cold temperatures. Crensh suggests that a small pile of leaves placed in your backyard, garden beds, or even a compost pile can achieve these benefits. With these benefits, you don't have to worry about cleaning every last leaf from your yard until spring has passed and the risk of freezing temperatures has passed.