Leaf covering for the winter

…..we have placed garden leaves over our flower beds for the winter for the first time and we are wondering when would be the ideal time to remove them to the benefit of the wee beasties below ??………

Leaves on Garden in Spring

I listened to a gardening program that suggested leaving leaves on the garden in the fall. I have a layer of oak leaves covering most of the garden, with heavy layers near sensitive plants (rhododendron). My garden gets medium sun.…