A brief stretch of warm weather has many of us gardeners eager to get outside and start cleaning up after a long winter. But hold on a moment. Early spring is still a resting time for many insects that haven’t emerged yet. They’re tucked away in leaf litter, plant debris, and last year’s dried stems.

If we rush to clean up too soon, we risk removing the very places where grubs, larvae, and caterpillars are still developing—and the food they’ll need when they wake. Right now, those spaces are keeping them safe and insulated. A sudden cold snap after they emerge could be deadly.

One simple way to support these beneficial insects is to leave things as they are a little longer. Spring cleanup can wait. When we clear away leaves and dead stems too early, we may also be removing the bees and butterflies that depend on them for winter shelter.

So when can you get into your gardens for clean up? The general rule of thumb is that you can begin your spring garden clean up when daytime temperatures are consistently over 50 degrees F. For our diverse climate area, this is usually from late April well into May, but every year is different. Watch the temperatures! Ideally, home gardeners should wait until it is time to mow regularly and the apple trees are blooming as that will be the sign that the bees will be out and about.

Key Tips for Spring Cleaning:

• Wait for Warmth: Waiting prevents harming beneficial insects and allows for soil to dry out, avoiding compaction.

• Start Slow: Begin in sunny areas first.

• Pruning & Clearing: Cut back dead perennials, but leave some stems 15 inches tall for bees. The stems will be hidden as the surrounding plants grow and will be perfect spots for hibernation come fall.

·       "Chop and Drop": Instead of removing all debris, chop up removed stems and leave them on the bed to serve as mulch.

• Protect Nesting Bees: If you see old plant stems with ends plugged with mud or leaves, leave them as they are likely home to native bees. 

Remember—patience is key. It’s perfectly okay to have a “messy” garden and not strive for perfection. That untidy space is actually providing valuable habitat for some of the smallest of God’s creatures.