Wha is essential for flower garden care during Illinois weather?

right now the leaves are providing insulation for the roots. leave all as it is, come spring partially uncover the plants. when you are clear of all frosts.. remove all leaves twigs etc, and mulch around your plants.

Hi Jm, I live in Illinois too. Most of the gardening I do is in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Spring is the time to clean up after the winter and to plan your beds for the season. Summer is for maintaining your beds and working in the garden. I have always used the Old Farmer's way: Wait until Mother's Day to plant. That includes veggies, flowers and baskets. Most of my time is spent in my vegetable garden. I love trying new plants and always have my favorites, tomatoes, zucchini, cukes and (new from this past summer) strawberries. I also like to try new watering techniques, plant food, and different ways to plant. Then, of course, comes Fall. Fall is the time to rip annuals out, lay mulch, plant bulbs, and prune trees and bushes. I hope this helps you.

DFM gave you great advice. Leave the leaves be to help protect throughout the winter. If you have spring bulbs, clear around them as soon as they start coming up. Clear off or till into the soil when you are ready to plant or when perennials start popping up. I sometimes move the excess leaves, till, then plant, then I put the moved leaves around the plants for mulch until I start mowing the grass and start putting that around my plants.

this link will give you specif info for your area, and the type of plants - https://ask.extension.org

https://extension.illinois.edu/perennials/fall.cfm

The weather you folks in the north are having this year, I doubt much will help. Freezing ground kills just about everything. Even building tents over beds to create a hot house effect probably would not work.

I use to live in northern Illinois. I do not have a green thumb so I plated a lot of native plants and flowers. Prairie Nursery and Prairie Moon Nursery are 2 good resources. I ordered from both and every plant arrived in great condition. I would also check with local nurseries