Fall Cleanup vs. Letting Nature Rest
(a.k.a. When to Intervene and When to Just Let the Yard Be a Yard)
Every fall, the same debate hits the gardening world:
Should you clean everything up neatly for winter… or just throw your hands up, pour some hot cider, and let nature handle it?
I say: why not both? Let’s call it “strategic laziness.” You’ll still look like you know what you’re doing, but without breaking your back raking every single leaf in your zip code.
🌿 The Case for Cleaning Up (a.k.a. “I Can’t Go Into Winter With That Mess”)
Some things just need to go — trust me. If you’ve got plants covered in mildew or vegetables that look like they’ve been through an apocalypse, don’t let them rot in peace.
Here’s what I cut back before winter:
- Peonies — gorgeous, yes, but by fall they look like spotted tissue paper. I cut them back to about six inches and let them rest for the winter like the divas they are.
- Sedum — by October it’s flopped over like a tired toddler. Snip.
- Hostas — if they’re sun-burnt and droopy, I give them a trim and a pat on the back for trying.
- Asiatic lilies — cut back and done for the season.
I also clear out my vegetable beds completely, spread a little new soil and mulch, toss in some mulched leaves, give it all a good soak, and let it rest under a cozy blanket of cardboard where I want to kill weeds. It’s like tucking the garden into bed with a weighted blanket.
🐝 The Case for Letting Nature Be a Bit Messy
Now, for the “let it be” side of things — because not everything needs your micromanaging energy.
I leave my:
- Irises (they handle themselves just fine)
- Daylilies (especially the ditch lilies — they’re survivors)
- Blueberry and raspberry bushes
- Strawberries and anything else that plays nice with the local wildlife
And speaking of wildlife — that last layer of leaves? Leave it. (Pun intended, obviously.) It’s insect real estate. Bees, butterflies, and ladybugs all need cozy places to overwinter, and your garden is prime property.
🍂 The Middle Ground: Smart, Selective Cleanup
Fall garden care doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. It’s about balance — your balance.
I rake the first big round of leaves (because we live in a forest, and otherwise I’d be knee-deep until April), but I leave the last wave in my flower beds. They break down, protect roots, and keep bugs cozy. It’s like a natural mulch with free bonus nutrients.
Do a little cleanup, leave a little chaos. That’s the sweet spot.
💬 My Fall Routine in One Sentence
Cut back the sad stuff, clean up the veggie carnage, spread mulch and cardboard, and walk away feeling like an absolute garden boss.
Your plants will thank you in spring — right before you realize the weeds still won, but hey, that’s part of the fun.