It is that wonderful time of year again when nature provides us with a beautiful transition of colors. Green leaves fade to brilliant yellows, wonderful oranges and startlingly attractive reds. Not only is this a time of splendor to see all the array of colors, it also begins a time when leaves start to fall from their branches. While fallen leaves do not always present a threat to your landscape there are many reasons why you should remove them from your landscape and home.
As leaves fall on your lawn and build up over time, sunlight is unable to penetrate down in to the canopy of your lawn. In Columbus, Ohio, lawns are predominately made up of cool season grasses that grow best with cooler temperatures. Without direct sunlight, lawns may thin out and become a breeding ground for fungi and disease. Mats of leaves also deter your lawn from breathing. Allowing sufficient air flow to your lawn will greatly improve its winter dormancy. 
Instead of raking the leaves from your lawn, try mulching the leaves with your mower. Most lightly covered lawns can easily be mowed two or three times to break down the leaves. This will help put much needed nutrients back in to the lawns root system. Of course, if your lawn becomes too thick with leaves, many of you will have to break out the blower and rakes.
Leaves in your flower beds should be removed for aesthetic purposes. Lightly covered beds do not pose a risk to your shrubs and trees but should be removed in the spring. If your beds are heavily filled with leaves it may encourage insects to dwell within the roots and may also keep soil overly moist. Dense leaves will also block sunlight to some perennials, shrubs and bulbs that may be need light to encourage development for next spring.
Undisturbed leaves may also act as a barrier for water flow. Leaves can build up along curbs, gutters and ditches to block storm water sewers. If water cannot flow to these areas the result could be an unpleasant flood after a heavy fall rain.
