When is the best time to clean out the dead in flower beds?

It's only February, soon to be March, with some warm days in Indiana. I wondered if I could clean out all the dead weeds, branches, etc? I have hydrangeas, clematis, roses, lilacs, lilies, etc.

  7 answers
  • Carol Harris Carol Harris on Feb 27, 2019

    I cleaned out several of my flower beds yesterday, we have cold weather coming back for the week end, and some of my plants are coming out already, I live in the south and have always cleaned the flower bed when we have a break from the winter weather in Feb. I don't think it would hurt them to do some cleaning, maybe leave some leaves on them.

  • Dfm Dfm on Feb 27, 2019

    wait until the last frost hits, the leaves etc. are mother natures insulation for the soil.

  • Linda R Linda R on Feb 27, 2019

    That depends on your plants. Some should have been cut back in fall while others need pruning back in early spring. If you were using the dead weeds and flowers, etc as mulch or protection from the cold weather then I'd leave it until your area's last frost date.

    You can find out what that is by searching for Plant Hardiness Zones. That will also give you lots of websites for information on how to treat each of the types of plants and flowers you mentioned. Good luck and have fun!

  • 1401470 1401470 on Mar 01, 2019

    Now is a good time to clean up - I normally do this in the late fall but there's no reason why you can extend clean up through the winter months.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Mar 01, 2019

    In MI I like to get everything cleaned out in March if it warms up and def by early April. There is no risk of damaging any new growth that pops up. I am probably one of the first ones to call for mulch. It’s so easy to spread with everything cleaned out and nothing popping up yet.

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Mar 01, 2019

    No leave them alone I know every one likes a tidy garden but winter is not over, the plant's dead matter protects it from winter's freezing temps.. Mother's Day is last day for freeze,frost so you have time to wait. You have predicted last frost date but you never know what Mother Nature has in store. Your plants will be safer under their blankets of dead matter. Dead weeds in garden probably not good they need to be pulled as they are growing when they are small not let to go on to mature and reseed causing even more weeds.If they begin to grow even the roses leave them, if they freeze the plants will nuture themselves if you trim damaged ends/tips off and it remains cold they will get damaged even more.

  • Elaine L Mortara Elaine L Mortara on Mar 01, 2019

    Thanks for all the information.....:)