Leave plants intact as seed heads and dead stems can provide food for birds and overwinter habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Enjoy the winter interest in the garden provided byfrost and snow accentuating the structural elements of your winter garden and highlighting an eye-catching contrast. Natives such as American holly, winterberry, and red-twig dogwood offer winter interest through the contrast of colorful foliage and berries.
Prune trees and shrubs as needed to remove dead or diseased wood. Research the specific pruning requirements of the trees and shrubs in your garden.
Sow seeds of native plants. Many seeds need a period of cold to germinate, so winter is a great time to get started.
Let it lie. Fallen wood, leaves and twigs can support a host of native insects, reptiles and amphibians. Leaving fallen limbs, leaves and twigs undisturbed can maintain the hibernating benefits the “natural” debris provides.
