By Bob Root, UUCF’s Act for Climate Today (ACT!) and Garden Gnomes.
All winter your garden has lain idle in the cold and snow. But life is there, dormant, quietly awaiting the warmth of spring in the leaf litter and the hollow stems of last year’s flowers. Native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects will soon begin to emerge. But to give them the best chance of transitioning from winter into spring, consider the following actions:
- Delay major garden clean-up until temperatures are consistently above 50°F for several days. Warmer days are forecast during the next couple of weeks so they likely will be out in mid- April.
- Leave some leaf litter under shrubs and trees as natural mulch.
- When cutting back stems, leave 12-18 inches so native bees can emerge.
One of the simplest ways to support biodiversity right in your yard is by removing invasive plants. Before foliage fully emerges, invasive plants are often easier to identify and remove. Removing them early helps native plants reclaim space. Common invasive plants in this region include:
- Japanese barberry
- Multiflora rose
- Wineberry
- English ivy
- Japanese honeysuckle
Finally, consider getting native plants for your garden. Plant NOVA Natives lists many native-plant sales in the area. Staff at those sales will be able to recommend options that will help sustain the native habitat in your garden.