Spring is the ideal time to clean up your garden, your yard and your perennials! At our farm we prefer cleaning up our perennial gardens and raised beds in the spring just as the perennial plants start to break dormancy. Cleaning up in the spring rather than in the fall provides perennial plants with necessary crown protection over the winter in case of a heavy snow load or freezing temperatures.

The photo at the right is a clump of Achillea 'Terra Cotta' yarrow just starting to break dormancy. The blue arrow points to the new growth and the pink arrow points to last years dead top growth.

For soft perennial plants, smaller ornamental grasses and herbs we use large shears to trim back the dead growth from last season while leaving the new growth. When cleaning up ornamental grasses in the spring trim last years foliage growth back to 2 inches to 3 inches just as the new green shoots are visible. Leaving several inches of last years foliage acts as a florist frog and helps to  hold young ornamental grasses upright in windy conditions.

When cleaning up perennial plants in the spring be careful not to damage the new shoots that are just emerging. Once the dead foliage is removed apply an application of organic fertilizer, a light layer of mulch and you are done!