Make Your Fall Cleanup Wildlife-Friendly: 8 Smart Yard Tips

For many decades, "mow and blow" was the number one practice for homeowners preparing their yards for fall and winter. This stemmed from the neatly manicured, post-World War II suburban lawns that became symbols of good homeownership. &emsp;But Brittany Kavanagh, part of the Fassett Farm Nursery team in Jaffrey, says, "I think that's become very outdated. People are now starting to mindfully clean their gardens." &emsp;Part of this shift comes from increased awareness of natural practices. Beth Coll from Coll's Garden Center in Jaffrey adds that, "Our climate is changing, so your fall cleanup needs to change with it." &emsp;These days, bloom times for many late-season plants are extended, and leaves often fall later, pushing autumn preparations closer to winter. The good news is that current guidance encourages homeowners to do less, not more. &emsp;"Honestly, what's better than telling someone you don't need to spend your man-hours and hurt your back?" Kavanagh says with a laugh. By doing less, you're often doing more for the plants and animals around you. #1: Leave the leaves "There are a lot of moths and butterflies that will use leaves as cocoon sites, as well as insects, like fireflies, which really need a good leaf pack," Kavanagh says. A leaf blower, "can just rip through this life that's trying to build," she explains. &emsp;Instead, "leaving organic matter in place does increase your wildlife immensely," says Aaron Abitz, owner of Fassett Farm. He enjoyed watching countless fireflies this summer, as well as salamanders strolling out of little leaf piles. &emsp;However, making this shift to leaving the leaves can be a challenge for grass, as coverage impacts new growth in spring. "If you're focused on turf and you still want to be ecologically mindful, I think there's a certain way to go in," Kavanagh says. &emsp;First, opt for hand tools to help cocoons and nests stay intact. Also keep your materials on site. "Set up a leaf pile in a wooded area or somewhere that you designate for your leaves to break down whole," Kavanagh says. &emsp;You might just be surprised by how many wonderful species turn up in your garden next year. #2: To prune or not to prune? Pruning is another annual fall tradition, but knowing your plants is key. &emsp;"A lot of people will cut their hydrangeas back in the fall, and we don't recommend that," Coll notes. "We want to leave those alone until they're fully leafed out. Otherwise, you may be cutting next year's blooms." &emsp;Roses are another example. "Leave them alone and let all the inner juices and energy go back to the crown, the rootstock," Coll says. You can also add a compost mix over the crown for protection. #3: Seed heads and perennial stalks: Let them be! Believe it or not, taking this approach with more of your plants can pay off. &emsp;"As an experiment, leave up your perennials until the spring, and observe who visits your garden," Kavanagh says. You're likely to find a range of songbirds stopping by. &emsp;"Most people with gardens are gardening not only for the beauty, but they also love the birds and insects," Kavanagh says. If more people try her experiment, they'll find their yard and garden teeming with wildlife. &emsp;For instance, many insects use perennial stalks as nesting sites, so there's an ecological benefit to letting them winter over. While we often pay close attention to the classic bumblebee, hundreds of small, solitary, native bees that are just as important call these stalks home. By leaving stalks 12 to 18 inches tall, you're providing a safe haven. &emsp;Even in spring, those hollow stalk spaces will still be occupied, but new growth on perennials helps hide the bare stems while allowing insects to finish out their lifecycle. Not only is this approach less labor-intensive for the gardener, "but there is also a beauty in spent perennials and seed heads that adds interest and contrast to your landscape even throughout the winter," Kavanagh says. #4: Strategic clean-up This isn't to say that mindful trims aren't necessary, particularly around hardscapes, like patios and walkways. &emsp;"Leaves and perennials (that) flop onto pathways and could be a tripping hazard," Kavanagh points out. So, trimming and moving that material to nearby woods is a wise way to go. &emsp;Focusing on certain areas to support wildlife can be a balanced approach as well. "I leave my plants near where the birdfeeders are and near the arbor where the coverage is," Coll explains. This unique winter habitat she has created draws a plethora of birds all winter long. #5: Feed the soil the natural way Coll also advises thinking about your soil as autumn approaches. &emsp;"You can safely feed plants up until the end of August. After that, you want to stop and let the plant life run its natural course," she says. (Exceptions include rhododendrons and evergreen azaleas because they're making buds and could need that extra boost.) &emsp;For feeding of any kind, Coll notes, "We encourage people to use organic soil amendments and not commercial fertilizers, especially when growing plants you're going to eat." &emsp;"Stay away from the commercial, manmade blends and rely on the naturals and the organics," she says. "They're from the earth, and they're not harmful to you, the bees or anybody else." #6: Plan next year's garden now Coll recommends thinking about next year's garden well before the snow flies. If you're planning a new bed, "now, while the trees are fully leafed out, take a look at what your actual sun exposure will be," Coll says. &emsp;Then you'll know what plants to select in spring. Similarly, if you have a garden that's evolving, evaluate which plants were happiest. Does anything need to be divided or moved? "We typically find plants have three homes before they find their final resting place," Coll says with a laugh. #7: Think flowers & beyond Now when it comes to types of plants, you may have heard many locals talking about natives. &emsp;"Gosh yes, yes, yes!" Coll says. "People are more conscientious of doing native species and also doing things that will encourage those pollinators with food availability." &emsp;It's really a blend of what you'll love to look at and what will also enhance the ecosystem already happening outside your back door. "When we design and plant, we feature plants that will be beautiful in all four seasons," Kavanagh says. &emsp;She points to grasses as a way to think beyond just blooms. "Native, ornamental grasses are lacking in people's gardens, and they really add so much texture and dimension," she says. #8: Accept a little wildness Coll's final piece of advice with fall approaching is this: "practice patience and acceptance in your garden." &emsp;For many people, an orderly yard feels ideal. "But gardens take time to evolve," she notes, and they are inherently a natural, messy place. "It's normal to have that wildness," she explains. Often, people find that same practice of patience soon extends to other parts of life, as well. &emsp;Abitz of Fassett Farm shares, "If people can understand how much we are actually part of the natural ecosystem, we can become much more of a critical, functioning piece by doing less as opposed to trying to control it." &emsp;And in the relationships with the soil, plants, and insects that follow: "I think that's going to be their happy place," he says.