Here’s why you should wait to clean up your garden until spring.
However, this approach can actually create more overall work for you and has several environmental downsides.
Here are five reasons why youshouldn’t cut back your garden in falland what to do instead.
Credit:Laurie Black
Supporting Wildlife
Those flower heads filled with seeds arebird food in winter.
Don’t worry about seeds from your plants attracting vermin.
These types of animals don’t eat seeds; they prefer food waste in our trash.
Credit:Susan Gilmore
Flood Control
Standing plant stems and grasses hold a decent amount of moisture in winter.
Shrubs andtrees provide the same benefit.
And then those drifts will hydrate soil during the spring melt.
Once you do, youll never want to cut back a perennial plant or ornamental grass again.
Do cut back diseased plant material in fall and properly dispose of it (dont compost).
When to Cut Back Your Garden
So, whenshouldyou cut back your perennials and ornamental grasses?
Studies have found that it’s thesoiltemperature, not theairtemperature that matters.
overwintering insects, spiders, and frogs) start to wake up and become active.
A soil thermometer is an inexpensive way to gauge when to get out your pruning shears.
Or, most states offer soil temperature readings and maps to help farmers know the best time to plant.
Check with your local land-grant public university programs for this information.
The National Weather Service also supplies a map on its website.
Autumn in a garden doesnt have to mean a lot of yard work.
With all this in mind, let the garden (and yourself) rest a bit instead.
