The Scoop can’t figure out what to wear. A t-shirt? A sweatshirt? A parka? So far this has been one odd entry into winter. Our ground in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas is parched. Locally we’re staring down a 10-inch rainfall deficit this year, 2022. How should we care for our plants heading into the cold of winter? Depending on which prognosticator you use, many believe we have a 50/50 chance of above or below normal temps and snowfall for the 2022/23 Winter! Well, that’s commitment.
The Farmers Almanac has a different story for the Upper Midwest.
On to the subject! In the “old days” we cleaned up everything! Every leaf, every perennial, every possible piece of “litter” that could be raked, chopped or pulled up was removed. Now, we know better.
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Drop that rake and leave the leaves. Not only is it easier on YOU, it’s a lot easier on those little creatures that need a place to live. Leaf litter provides habitat, insulation, and protection for insect pollinators which includes bees and butterflies. It’s also a natural fertilizer for grass as leaves break down during the winter. If you have piles of leaves, place leaves on your garden beds, around trees and shrubs.
Use the rake to pick up some leaves to leave on your garden beds
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WATER, water, water till the ground freezes. In particular, any newly planted trees/shrubs/perennials.
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Leave those ornamental grasses standing – they provide habitat for wildlife of various kinds and also provide winter interest.
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Leave most of your perennials such as coneflowers, black-eyed susans and any other native plants with seedheads. Birds will eat the seeds. It also breaks up the bleak landscape for our eyes. Those non-native plants can be left alone too.
Grasses, perennials, shrub and a newly planted tree with snow piled around it. Dec. 2021
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If you have space, leave dead branches in an area of your landscape that could provide shelter to critters.
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Compost anything you really don’t want to leave until spring.
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Take care of those garden tools. Remove dirt, use steel wool on rusty areas, sharpen your pruners now or wait till spring. Mostly store them clean and dry.
Aster seedheads and light snow is a lot prettier than that fence
Letting go,
