Pollinator-Friendly Spring Garden Cleanup
Leaf cover left until late spring helps prevent disturbing pollinators before they emerge.
Spring pollinator-friendly garden cleanup recommendations aim to strike a balance between tidying up the garden and providing a welcoming environment for pollinators. We often get asked, “How early can I start my spring garden cleanup?” The answer isn’t very straight forward. Early bees like mason bees and bumble bees start emerging once daily temps are above 55 degrees, which usually happens in March/April in Vancouver, but many pollinating insects can stay dormant into May. Unfortunately, any actions you take in your spring garden may have negative impacts on dormant pollinators but there are some things you can do that help balance the human need to tidy up a garden space and still keep nesting and dormant pollinators safe. Here are some considerations when doing spring garden cleanup:
1. Delay Cleanup: Consider delaying garden cleanup until later in the spring to allow pollinators to emerge from winter dormancy and access early blooming flowers for nectar and pollen.
2. Leave Some Leaf Litter: Leave a portion of leaf litter undisturbed in garden beds and under shrubs to provide overwintering habitat for beneficial insects, including native bees and butterflies.
3. Prune Wisely: Prune dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs, but avoid heavy pruning during the early spring when pollinators may be active. Wait until after flowering to prune spring-blooming plants to avoid removing potential food sources.
4. Cut Back Selectively: Cut back spent flower stalks and stems selectively, leaving some standing to provide overwintering sites for beneficial insects and seeds for birds. Consider leaving native grasses and perennials with sturdy stems for overwintering insects.
5. Create Brush Piles: Gather fallen branches, twigs, and woody debris to create brush piles in a corner of the garden. These piles provide shelter for pollinators, as well as nesting sites for solitary bees and overwintering butterflies. To learn more, check out this blog.
6. Avoid Chemicals: Avoid using chemical pesticides and herbicides in the garden, as they can harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. Instead, practice integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and opt for organic pest control methods when necessary.
7. Provide Water: Place shallow dishes of water in the garden for pollinators to drink from. Add a few rocks or pebbles to provide landing spots and prevent drowning.
8. Plant Early-Blooming Flowers: Plant a variety of early-blooming flowers to provide essential nectar and pollen for pollinators emerging from winter dormancy. Examples include brassicas, flowering current, Oregon grape, and native spring ephemerals.
9. Create Nesting Habitat: Provide nesting habitat for native bees by leaving areas of bare, well-drained soil or creating artificial nesting sites such as bee hotels or nesting blocks made from untreated wood.
10. Monitor and Learn: Take the opportunity to observe pollinators in your garden as they emerge in the spring. Use this time to learn about the different species present and their habitat and resource needs.
By following these spring pollinator-friendly garden cleanup recommendations, you can help support pollinator populations while maintaining a healthy and vibrant garden ecosystem. If you want to learn more make sure and check out our Meadow Care and Spring Cleanup event at the Vancouver Water Resources Center on April 13. RSVP here. If you want to read more about pollinator-friendly spring cleanup check out this blog from the Xerces Society on the topic.
Leaving last year’s dead plant material can help chrysalides (butterfly pupae) that overwinter attached to stems and leaves like these yarrow and farewell-to-spring stems.