Spring Garden Cleanup: A Sunny Weekend with Nature

The temperatures last weekend were unseasonably warm, so my husband and I took full advantage of the gorgeous weather to tackle some early spring garden cleanup. While he worked on trimming a few trees out back, I focused on the sunny backyard flower beds. These beds are a mix of native and non-native perennials, all bursting with bright reds, oranges, and yellows. While I’m working to add more native varieties, my main goal has always been to provide nectar for our winged friends.

Creating a Garden for Bees, Butterflies, and Hummingbirds

In the summer, these beds come alive with all sorts of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators feeding from the blooms. There’s something magical about watching them go about their business. And of course, it’s especially exciting when the hummingbirds return for the summer! It’s like an annual reunion.

Fast forward to fall, and I purposely avoid trimming back the dried stems and flower buds. If left undisturbed, some plants will produce tiny seeds, which become an important food source for the overwintering finches and chickadees. We also leave the flower beds a bit untidy, with dried leaves and debris, to provide habitat for pollinators to lay their eggs for the following year.

Early Spring Garden Tasks: Tidying Up for the Season

With the warm weather arriving, I figured it was time for a little spring cleaning. There's something so relaxing about working outside in the sunshine after a long winter. I slip on my gardening gloves and grab my shears. By snipping the stems near the base, I make sure not to disturb the root balls, which are still hibernating below ground.

After trimming, I gather up the plant debris and take a walk down to our compost pile. As I work, I can hear the cheerful songs of robins in the distance, and even spot a couple of bluebirds already on the lookout for a nesting spot. 

Reconnecting with Nature, One Snip at a Time

This simple task of cleaning up the beds has a way of grounding me. It gets me outside, in the sunshine, reconnecting with nature. There’s something about the act of tidying up the garden that makes me feel like I'm taking part in a bigger cycle — nurturing the space for both plants and animals to thrive throughout the year.