Overwintering insects and other creatures are still emerging in your garden, delay spring cleanup until temperatures consistently reach 50°F for at least a week and these other tips
There's been so many times in the Spring I think I cleaned up too soon but knowing that all these little creatures are still emerging, I slow my roll.
Why Delay Cleanup?
- Protecting Overwintering Insects: Many pollinators, like bees and butterflies, rely on dead plant material and leaf litter for shelter and overwintering
- Disrupting Life Cycles: Early cleanup can disrupt the natural emergence of these creatures, potentially harming their populations
- Beneficial Insects: Leaving debris in place provides habitat for beneficial insects like ladybugs, fireflies, and ground beetles, which are natural pest control agents
- Soil Health: Decomposing plant matter enriches the soil, acts as a natural mulch, and helps retain moisture
- Biodiversity: Leaving the garden alone supports a diverse ecosystem
How to determine when spring cleaning won't bug your pollinators
- Have I put away the snow shovel, mittens, and winter coats?
- Would I plant tomatoes now?
- Is the lawn growing tall?
- Have I paid my taxes?
If the answer is "no," then it might a good to press pause and find other ways to occupy your weekends
What You Can Do:
- Wait for Consistent Warmth: Avoid cleaning until daytime temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C) for at least a week
- Leave Plant Material: Allow dead leaves and plant stalks to remain in place until spring
- Consider Leaving Areas Wild: Create or maintain a "wild" area in your garden where you don't clean up as much
- Support Ground-Nesting Bees: Avoid mulching every area of soil, as some native bees nest in bare ground
- Plant for Pollinators: Consider planting extra herbs and flowers that attract pollinators
- Rake Gently: If you must rake, do so gently and leave the leaves in piles or compost them rather than discarding them
Pollinators and other insects you are helping
- Luna moths and Mourning cloak butterflies: Rely on dead leaves and plants for shelter and overwintering
- Native bees: Many species nest in dead stems or bare ground.
- Ladybugs and Fireflies: These beneficial insects overwinter in leaf litter
- Butterflies and Moths: Many species use fallen leaves to protect their eggs and chrysalises
- Winter Moths: Some moth species remain active on warmer nights all winter
Resist the temptation of spring fever
It’s tough to turn a blind eye to the “messy” garden, especially when gardening magazines, catalogs, and TV ads provide temptation daily. Each spring gardeners and homeowners can press pause and find other ways to occupy their weekends.
Instead of disturbing critical habitat, read a book, do a jigsaw puzzle, do your taxes, tidy up the garage, or clean the gutters. While you may be eager to get outside and play in the garden – there will be time enough to toil in the soil before you know it! Meanwhile, start planning your native pollinator garden and get your plants from these native pollinator plant retailers.
Source: https://xerces.org/blog/dont-spring-into-garden-cleanup-too-soon
