Support Wildlife Through Winter: Skip the Fall Cleanup

September 22, 2025| Education, Environment

By: Laurie & Marty Kane

With fall upon us, it is great to see so many blooms still in our native gardens. As many of the plants die back, three varieties are excelling this year. In bloom right now are at least four types of asters, nice spreads of goldenrod, and a sprinkling of white boneset. We have noticed many pollinators enjoying this late source of food and the asters, in particular, are attracting goldfinches. As you start thinking about which native plants to add next year, perhaps consider some of these late-blooming varieties to give your garden color until frost and provide an important food source.

Many homeowners and gardeners cut down plants in the fall, following the conventional practice of removing dead leaves, stems, and seed heads to give the yard a clean look. However, just as the type of plants many of us are growing has changed, so have ideas of how to best prepare the garden for winter. Leaving plant material in place over the winter is recommended.

By delaying cutting back plants until spring, you will support the environment in several ways. Native plants provide beneficial insects with a place to overwinter. Some, such as mason bees, nest in the hollow stems of native plants. Others, like Luna moths, hibernate under leaf litter. Clearing all plant material from our gardens removes crucial habitat for many native insects.

Similarly, birds that do not migrate for the winter need food to survive. Native flower seed heads that persist through the winter provide an important food source. In addition, letting your garden remain as is over winter helps insulate and protect plant roots from freezing temperatures. Further, leaves left to decompose in garden beds will add nutrients to the soil and provide cover for wildlife.

You can remove the leaves from the lawn but allow those in garden beds to remain until spring. You can also remove untidy stems but keep those that contain leaves or seed heads. Shrubs should not be pruned in the fall. Instead, prune in late winter or early spring when shrubs are dormant so as to stimulate new growth in the spring.

Stalks, seed heads, and grasses can also add visual interest to your snow-covered landscape. So perhaps this fall do less work while getting a bigger gain for your garden and the environment.

See you in the spring!