​Writer urges gardeners to delay spring clean-up and protect local eco-system

To the Editor:

As the weather warms up and spring approaches, many of us are eager to begin cleaning up our yards and gardens.

However, I want to encourage our community to rethink how we approach this seasonal task. Instead of viewing leaves and yard trimmings as "waste" to be bagged and discarded, let’s recognize them as valuable insect habitat.

Leaves and plant debris are not just unsightly leftovers — they provide essential shelter and protection for over-wintering insects, such as pollinators and beneficial bugs. By leaving them undisturbed in the fall and winter, we help create safe spaces for insects to rest until they are ready to emerge in the spring. Many species rely on these natural shelters to survive the colder months, and disturbing their environment too soon can be harmful.

While best practice is to “leave the leaves” and plant debris permanently, if you do decide you need to remove leaves and clippings, you can still benefit the insect population by delaying spring gardening until temperatures are consistently above 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).

By doing so, we give insects the time they need to safely re-emerge from their winter dormancy. Early spring gardening can, inadvertently, disrupt their habitats, potentially harming local insect populations, including the very pollinators that help our gardens thrive.

Delaying, or eliminating, garden clean-ups and keeping yard trimmings in place as natural habitat, support a richer and more diverse eco-system. This practice can significantly enhance local bio-diversity, encouraging the return of a variety of insects, birds, and other wildlife, all of which are essential to the health of our environment. More information on this topic can be found at: xerces.org/blog/leave-the-leaves.

As we work together to foster a more sustainable and bio-diverse Kincardine, I urge all residents to consider the role we play in protecting our local wildlife. By embracing small changes in our gardening habits, we can make a big difference for our community’s eco-system.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. Together, let’s create a more insect-friendly Kincardine this spring and beyond.

Amanda Saxton
Kincardine