03/23/2026
From our colleagues at Northbranch Nursery:
Don’t Rush Spring Cleanup—Your Yard Needs the Extra Time
Beneficial Insects Are Still Overwintering
Not rushing spring cleanup is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of early-season landscaping, especially in places like Northwest Ohio where March weather can swing wildly between warm days and freezing nights. While a few sunny days may make it feel like spring has arrived, the landscape ecosystem is often still waking up. Here’s why patience matters:
Many helpful insects spend the winter hidden in the exact debris people rush to remove in spring. These insects are essential for pollination and natural pest control later in the season. You’ll often find them in:
Hollow plant stems
Leaf litter
Dead perennial stalks
Bark crevices and mulch layers
Pollinators like Monarch butterfly, bumblebee queens, and other native bees rely on this cover to survive the winter. Removing everything too early can disturb or kill insects that haven’t emerged yet. A common guideline is to wait until daytime temperatures are consistently around 50°F before doing major cleanup.
Plants May Still Be Protecting Themselves
Last year’s stems and leaves actually help plants survive winter. They provide:
Insulation for crowns and roots
Protection from freezing winds
Moisture retention in the soil
If cleanup happens too early and a late frost arrives (very common in Ohio through April), plants can become more vulnerable to cold damage.
Wildlife Uses Winter Cover
Beyond insects, small wildlife depends on leftover plant material. Birds such as the American robin and dark-eyed junco forage in leaf litter for food. Small animals may still use plant debris for shelter while temperatures fluctuate.
Cleaning everything too soon removes that early spring habitat. Waiting just a couple of extra weeks can make a big difference—for pollinators, plants, soil health, and overall landscape success.
