Leave the Leaves

Aht aht, step away from the rake!

Walk…away…slowly…

The weather will be heating up soon and it’s a good reminder to not get antsy although it’s a new year.

As we start preparing our gardens for spring, it’s important to remember that our actions have impacts. Many insects, including native solitary bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, rely on plant stems, leaf litter, and other garden debris for shelter during the colder months.

Unknown bee resting on a Cosmo flower in late Fall years ago.

They NEED the protection of undisturbed garden spaces to survive. Cleaning up too early can inadvertently disrupt or destroy these habitats.

By waiting for a consistent stretch of temperatures in the 50’s (°F) or higher, you allow these insects time to emerge naturally and resume their vital roles in pollination. This small act of patience can make a big difference.

Here’s some tips for pollinator-friendly garden prep:

🦋 Leave Some Mess Behind: Resist the urge to remove all plant debris at once. Instead, designate a corner of your garden to remain untouched until later in the season.

🦋 Chop and Drop: Instead of discarding plant stems, consider cutting them into smaller sections and leaving them in the garden to decompose naturally. This can continue to provide habitat and enrich the soil.

🦋 Avoid Pesticides: Minimize the use of pesticides or herbicides in your garden, especially in early spring when pollinators are waking up.

🦋 Plant for Pollinators: Use this time to plan a pollinator-friendly garden with native plants that bloom throughout the season to provide food and shelter.

By letting your garden “sleep in,” you’re not only helping pollinators but also creating a healthier, more resilient ecosystem. A messy garden, is sometimes a healthier garden.

Prairie Blazing Star plant that I allowed to go to seed.