Benefits of Minimal Garden & Yard Maintenance

Don’t touch that yard!

As the busy growing season comes to a close, the urge to tidy up the garden and put it to bed as winter sets in can feel natural, habitual even. Looking out at the brown leaves on the ground, the sinewy brittle gray stalks, and the dried flower heads gone to seed in the garden, one may feel the desire to correct these often considered unattractive elements in their yard. However, while we may see a browning yard, essential and beneficial insects see an overwintering paradise. We want to create and maintain the perfect habitat for them so they will help our gardens next year, and the best way to do that is to leave that garden alone! Here are a few ways your yard can benefit our fellow critters:

• Habitat and Shelter: Many insects, such as ladybugs, butterflies, and certain bees, need places to overwinter. Leaving plant stems, leaves, and other organic matter provides them with essential shelter during the cold months. Solitary bees and other beneficial insects often use hollow stems, dead wood, and other plant materials as nesting sites. By not pruning, you preserve these potential nesting sites for the next generation of insects. Unpruned gardens also offer hiding spots that can protect insects from predators and harsh weather conditions.
• Food Sources: Many insects feed on the seeds, dead plant material, and decaying organic matter left in an unpruned garden. This provides a crucial food source during the winter when other resources are scarce. Some plants may continue to provide pollen and nectar late into the season, supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies until they go dormant.
• Temperature and Moisture Regulation: Plant debris can act as an insulating layer, which can give you a jump start on the planting season by moderating soil temperatures, and providing a more stable environment for insects and other soil organisms during the winter. Organic matter left on the garden floor helps retain moisture in the soil, which can be beneficial for soil-dwelling insects and other organisms that aid in soil health and aeration.

If you do prune in late winter or early spring, consider doing so selectively to continue supporting insect populations. Here are a few of the impacts pruning may have on your plants:

• Encourages New Growth: Pruning stimulates plants to produce new growth. In the fall, this new growth is vulnerable to damage from the cold weather, as it won't have enough time to harden off before winter.
• Winter Damage: Fresh cuts from pruning can make plants more susceptible to winter damage. Open wounds can be entry points for diseases and pests, which can be more problematic during the colder months when plants are already stressed.
• Energy Conservation: Plants need to conserve their energy to survive the winter. Pruning can force them to use their stored energy reserves to heal and grow new shoots, leaving them weaker and less able to withstand the cold.
• Natural Protection: Unpruned branches and foliage can offer natural protection against winter weather. They can act as insulation against the cold and reduce the risk of frost damage to the plant's core structure.

By leaving your garden untouched over the winter, you create a more hospitable environment for a variety of beneficial insects, contributing to a healthier and more resilient ecosystem.