Garden enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief as there's one less chore to worry about in preparation for spring leave those fallen leaves right where they are, and your flowers will thank you. Alexandra Campbell, the green-fingered guru behind The Middlesized Garden, advises gardeners to skip the raking and let nature do its work. She explains: "You can leave leaves on most borders and garden beds without any problem. They will break down over the winter and by spring, you'll hardly notice them. As they break down, they'll return nutrition to the soil.".

Leaving leaves strewn across flowerbeds isn't just a time-saver; it's a boon for your blooms, acting as a natural mulch that insulates plant roots during the cold months. This organic blanket helps prevent the freeze-thaw cycle that can lead to root rot, fungal diseases, or pest infestations, while also suppressing weeds and enriching the soil with nutrients for the upcoming growing season, reports the Express.

But it's not just your plants that benefit from this leafy layer — local wildlife, including beneficial insects, rely on it too. Alexander highlights the ecological perks: "Some butterflies and moths over-winter in leaves as eggs, caterpillars or another stage of their life cycle. Bumblebees, too, need the insulation of fallen leaves in a quiet spot so that they can survive the winter.". Gardening experts are nudging you to ease up on the rake and let fallen leaves enrich your garden borders naturally or simply shred them with a lawnmower to scatter across flower beds.

Alexander chimed in: "Either way, the leaves will break down more quickly if they're left on the soil because the rain, sun and organisms in the soil will have more access to them.". Allowing leaves to remain on plant soil throughout winter can serve as an invaluable blanket for your blooms, encouraging vibrant growth come spring. But a word of caution for green-fingered enthusiasts keep those leaves off stone pathways, patios, or driveways as they can become dangerously slippery when frosted over.

Likewise, avoid piling leaves thickly on flowerbeds or the lawn, as this can suffocate the ground, obstructing sunlight and moisture the earth needs. Instead, aim for a modest sprinkle of foliage over your garden soil or grass. If you've got larger, glossier leaves, you might need to give them a quick chop to reap their benefits. Sprinkling leaves around as mulch not only lifts your garden game but pitches in for local wildlife, cutting one task from your February to-do list.