Don't Be Too Quick To Clean Up Your Garden!

​Thank you to member, Judy Baker, for providing the September tip of the month.

As summer flowers begin to fade, it is tempting to cut everything back and tidy up garden beds.
However, many of Maryland's native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects rely on
standing stems and leaf litter to survive the winter.

Leave Some Stems Standing.
Native bees often nest in hollow or pithy plant stems. Instead of cutting perennials to the ground,
leave 12–18 inches of stems on plants such as coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, bee balm, asters,
and Joe-Pye weed. These stems provide safe winter shelter and nesting sites that emerging bees
will use next spring.

Keep the Leaves.
Fallen leaves create an insulating layer where butterflies, moths, fireflies, and other beneficial
insects overwinter. Rather than removing all leaves from garden beds, allow a natural layer to
remain beneath trees, shrubs, and perennials.

A Balanced Approach.
You don't have to abandon fall cleanup entirely. Continue removing diseased plant material and
clear leaves from lawns and walkways. Consider designating a portion of your landscape as a
"habitat zone" where stems and leaves can remain undisturbed until spring.

Spring Cleanup Timing.
Wait until temperatures are consistently above 50°F in the spring before cutting back stems and
removing accumulated leaves. By then, many beneficial insects will have emerged and begun
their active season.

Why It Matters:
A less tidy garden in winter can support hundreds of pollinators and beneficial insects while
reducing maintenance, improving soil health, and helping Maryland's native wildlife thrive.

"Leave a little mess today to help pollinators tomorrow."