Sandra, don't be too keen to purge your turfgrass. there are many serious advantages to having a decent lawn: sound barrier, heat barrier, erosion control are a few of the environmentally sound reasons for having one.

Leaves are great to add organic mayer to your soil, but work best if you run the mower over them before adding them. they will break down much better. Ground up they provide the same organic mtter but reduce harbouring assorted plant diseases and specific pests - like ticks, snails and skugs. These three hide our in and under whole leaves.