It's OK to Forget Them... for now
- Jared Parks
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
Daylight Saving Time is near, and the spring equinox (March 20) is not far behind, though it might not look like it outside my window. Our flower beds are buried in multiple inches (feet in some drifted areas) of snow along with the crocuses that had been in full bloom just the day before, but those are mere trifles. I am busy planning for the warmer days ahead.
I know that certain tasks must be performed as early as possible, like pruning fruit trees while they are still dormant, but others, like cleaning out the pollinator beds, should be postponed for as long as possible if done at all. I also know how hard it can be to leave those beds alone. They can look so messy after the snow melts, but we must resist the urge. This coming season’s pollinators and other beneficial insects are peacefully sleeping the winter away snuggly tucked into that mess that is gnawing on your frayed gardening nerve. Don’t fret. You will be busier than your bee guests before you know it.
Fortunately, this winter’s weather has given us plenty to keep ourselves busy without worrying about those flower beds. We have a couple of trees down, limbs and branches everywhere. What great material for a new brush pile and to give some life to the old ones! There are also a few volunteer trees that should be moved to different locations. Oh yeah, there’s the vegetable garden too. Those peas aren’t going to plant themselves, then there’s the carrots… I can almost feel the dirt under my nails! Sorry pollinators. I’ll just have to forget about you… for now.
