Is my Mary right in saying that gardens should be left to nature over the winter?

Question

We're in Shropshire

Answer 1

I think Mary is correct. Let nature do its course. there are obvious things to do prior to onset of winter, such as half prune roses to prevent wind-rock, tidy up the leaves, then leave your garden to the vagaries of the winter, the plants are used to it. By faffing about you are probably compacting your wet lawns. wait till the first signs of nice weather, then go mad. I can't wait till, spring, with all its expectations, is the best time of the year. Pity those expectations are not always fulfilled

Answer 2

Yes - your Mary Mary isn't being quite contrary - the garden needs to sleep during the winter, so apart from a general tidy, once the leaves have been raked up, there's nothing much to do.
Enjoy the rest!

Answer 3

Yes, that way you and nature get the most benefit. Perennials provide great visual change, seed, and bedding/nesting materials, and those things that you clean up in the spring break down more quickly in your composter as the process has already started in your yard. Also, if you have a flower garden, the odds of having flowers reseed themselves greatly increases.

Answer 4

In Gods tantrum of a climate North Dakota we no-till farm to trap snow and conserve moisture. In the gardens it also insulates and prevents early ground thaw, a major cause of winter kill. As 'askdryad' mentioned it also benefits annuals that reseed. The down side is that it can harbor insects and disease. In my case it also harbors beneficial insects. Any plants susceptible to disease have long since been replaced by resistant varieties or just plain replaced. I gave up years ago trying to grow square plants in round holes. RScott

Answer 5

In a way. This is the time to add natural fertilizers such as manure, leaves and grass clippings to give them a chance to decompose during the winter.

Answer 6

Yes. She is probably right about most things.

Answer 7

yes, your Mary is correct