I've always left leaves on my flower beds as an extra coat of protection. Then when the weather starts to warm I rake them all off. So far I haven't had any problems.

I leave the fallen leaves on all my flowerbeds in the fall as an extra layer of protection from the winter cold extremes. In spring I rake them off and dump them but they stay wherever they land until then. Dormant plants don't care. Oak leaves don't decompose over the winter so I get rid of them once the weather warms up April/May.

Just leave them. Add what ever on top of them. They feed the earth worms.

Kathy

Great! Less work for me is always good news. Will add more soil on top of beds: when earth worms are happy - I am happy.
Natalie