Cleaning up your leaves in the fall provides several important benefits for the health and safety of your landscape. When leaves are left on the ground all winter, they can smother your lawn by blocking sunlight and trapping excess moisture, which often leads to mold, fungus, and dead patches in the spring. Wet, compacted leaves also create the perfect environment for pests and diseases to develop and overwinter. Beyond lawn health, excessive leaf buildup can clog drains and gutters, causing water backup and potential flooding during winter storms. Leaves left on walkways and driveways can also become dangerously slippery when wet or frozen, creating safety hazards. By removing leaves, you help your grass breathe, reduce thatch buildup, prevent drainage issues, and keep your property cleaner, safer, and easier to maintain year-round.