We're into the autumn season, and you're likely seeing increasing numbers of leaves on your yard.

Many of us are thinking about disposing of those leaves, but Shea Doherty from Our Farm Greenhouse tells us they may come in handy for your garden.

"A lot of people don't realize that when they take those leaves away, they're actually creating a still environment is what I call it," he says. "The decrease in ladybugs, butterflies, and all of that are down, that's because we're making this sterile environment without promoting healthy growth for the other insects. All your perennial beds, your vegetable garden, don't be afraid or scared to leave some of the leaves on there. It creates an amazing insulation barrier for all of those healthy insects."

Doherty also says raking your leaves on your lawn may not be necessary.

"Leaving it on the grass also creates worm growth in your grass, so you wouldn't have to do as much aerating," he says. "So taking it away in the springtime is actually better than taking it in the fall time. It also creates an insulation on your grass that helps your grass come back without burnouts and winterkill, and all of that kind of stuff. It just creates an environment that's so healthy, it's unbelievable."

Doherty does stress, however, that a thick covering of leaves isn't recommended.

"If your tree drops loads, and you've got six inches of leaves, don't leave that there," he says. "Because that will create a non-breathe area for your grass as well, which then can cause other problems. So, an inch to two inches of leaves though, is perfectly fine, because the wind will move it around a little bit, and create this environment that works for it. But, again, it comes down to don't leave six inches of leaves on your lawn."