Notes on Spring Clean Up
Just because there are patches of snow on the ground does not mean it is too early for spring clean up. Quite the contrary, since the ground in early spring tends to be either 1) frozen; or 2) a muddy mire. Of the two, frozen is better.
Where possible I like to pull the dead stalks by hand. This can be easier than using a cutting tool. Sure, it looks a bit ragged, but I don’t mind that so much. And as the plants grow in that raggedy look gets covered in green.
My favorite plant for spring clean up is the Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum). The stalks are up to 10 feet tall, and they make a very satisfying CRACK when you pull them from the crown. When they make that noise I want to shout “TIMBER!” Either that, or: “AND ANOTHER HOME RUN BY ERNIE BANKS!” But I don’t, because the neighbors might not understand.
Milkweeds (Asclepias), on the other hand, tend to have softer stems that won’t break cleanly and need a cutting tool. Nepeta stems also do not pull out easily. I grab them by the handful and cut them with a secatur. I have a lot of Nepeta, and when I cut them back in the spring it feels like I’m giving a haircut to a mastodon.
Spring clean up in the garden is a time of agony (ouch!) and ecstasy. Ecstasy because, as was the case this past weekend, I am OUTSIDE, enjoying SUNSHINE and MILD TEMPERATURES! It makes me feel like I have just been brought back from a semi-comatose state and have returned again to the Land of the Living.
The agony, on the other hand, comes from the intensive use of joints and muscles (mainly those involved in bending and kneeling) that have been taking it easy for the past few months. The worst of it, for me, is in the knees and thighs. And so in the early weeks of spring I can often be seen staggering around on stiff legs like a television zombie. Also, getting in and out of chairs can involve a lot of groaning. Certain persons (who lack a basic sense of compassion) have criticized this groaning as excessively noisy.
I will say that I have a gardening bench and kneeler that does help to reduce the overall amount of agony.
Spring clean up provides a reintroduction to the neighborhood. There are a lot of people I only see when they pass by as I’m working in the front garden. This is particularly true of people with dogs and/or small children. Just this past weekend I met a young couple with two little girls, ages six and four. They have lived down the street for three years and yet this is the first time I’ve met them.
The younger girl was riding a tricycle with a little basket holding a doll. I asked if she was giving her doll a ride and she pointed out to me that it wasn’t a doll but a baby. What’s more, she explained that she was carrying other important cargo in her basket, including a stick and a key chain.
I’m linking this post to Beth’s Lessons Learned meme at Plant Postings, as well as Donna’s Seasonal Celebrations at Garden’s Eye View.
How do you feel about spring clean up – is it a pleasure or just a chore?
gardeninacity 
Getting outside on a warm March day to clean up the garden is such a welcome thing to do. And I have a bench-seat exactly like yours. I couldn’t garden without it.
I don’t think I could either. Without it I always end up lying down.
Oh definitely a pleasure. Just getting outdoors and moving around, discovering little shoots under the debris and chatting to passing neighbours makes it more of a celebration than work. May sound odd to some people I know!
I feel pretty much the same, except at the end of the day when I am really aching.
Watch your back Jason, you only have one! Knees are my problem so I use a kneeler like yours. A sunny day makes working on the spring clean up a positive experience, I have more to do as the warmer (slightly) weather means there are some new season’s weeds that need removing too!
I’m really lucky that I haven’t had much in the way of back problems.
At the beginning of the day I think of the spring chores as a good thing. Getting reaquainted with an old plant friends. You get to see what they have been up to the past months. There are some sad moments when you realize some might not return for the summer season. Then there are those that have brought more of the family back to move in and take the place of others. You help them get organized, cleaned up, moved to new locations. The only down side is the creaky joints, sore hands etc.
Yes, I can see how spring cleanup is a bit like a family reunion.
In my opinion, spring cleanup is a way more fun than fall cleanup. But, it’s going to be a while for me so I’ll enjoy your adventures. 🙂 I have that same bench in addition to one of this tractor seat pull alongs that also holds tools.
I agree that spring cleanup beats fall by a mile. Of course, I do very little fall cleanup.
I like spring clean up but it is coming so late this year it has put me in a bind. Since the weather has turned so suddenly, it will be difficult to get the garden cleared and new mulch down before dormant perennials begin to shoot up.
Spring here is earlier than normal, for which I am very grateful.
Oh yes, only a gardener would understand “the agony and the ecstasy” you so aptly describe. Now you have me even more excited to get back to the Midwest. I actually LOVE spring garden clean-up. Crazy, I guess. I’m not a big fan of autumn clean-up. It seems better to leave the standing debris for the birds and wildlife. Plus, I’m lazy as the days get shorter. But in the springtime … bring it on! How fun that you met some new neighbors, too. Thanks for joining in the memes!
We have the same approach to fall versus spring cleanup.
VERY SORE TODAY-lol:-) Wow, had no idea how out of shape one can get with garden muscles!!! Best part is the “chatting” that goes on with the neighbors. If I work in my front yard, I better plant an extra two hours work for I always end up chatting to folks walking by or next door , back door neighbors! Great post:-)
I really enjoy the chatting also, especially when people ask about the garden. Debbie
Oh I love this Jason….it is a pleasure when I start out with spring cleaning, but if it is too wet it becomes a chore by the end…..and oh I feel those aches in my knees and thighs too. I had to laugh several times and especially when i saw the bench. I have that same bench/kneeler. Currently it is in my basement being utilized as a chair for my seed starting. Soon I hope it will be moved outside again. Thanks for joining in again for Seasonal Celebrations….your post brought a much needed smile to my face!
Yeah, the mud can really bring down the mood.
Excellent! I’ll never see my catmint in the same way again — mastodon, indeed! Lots of spring cleaning going on over here as well.
Probably a lot more weeds popping up where you are – we don’t have that yet
I am in the middle of cleaning up my garden too, it is a hard job but when the weahter is ok I enjoy it
It’s such a relief jus to get outside.
it is yes ! we even had lunch outside today !
Hah! I have that same padded kneeler/sitter and do a lot of the same groaning this time of year. I’m still in the middle of spring cleanup. It is pleasureable, but I always feel like it’s getting away from me, and I can’t keep up.
There are times when I feel overwhelmed also, which is really my own fault because I have dug so many beds. But then I reconcile myself to the fact that I will always be behind on my list of gardening tasks.
I am feeling a bit of your pain. I just cleared out my new veggie garden. I am so excited I barely noticed that I was walking like a zombie. And I was too proud to let everyone around me know that I was hurting — well I kept it to a minimum of say once or twice per hour.
How nice you got to meet your neighbours. Love the story of the Baby, Stick and Keychain. There’s probably a Neil Gaimon-esque story in that mix somewhere. And why do big people only go for a walk when accompanied by dogs and children? One of the great mysteries I guess.
Dogs and children need to be taken out on walks. So do grown ups, but there is usually no one to take them.
This time of year, I start the gardening day cutting and pulling things back. Once that creakiness gets to be too much I just sit down and switch to weeding, scooting around in an entirely inelegant fashion. By day’s end, I am one muddy, happy mess…ready for a long soak in a hot tub. Simple joys.
“A muddy, happy mess”, that sounds very familiar.
Raking up the accumulated sticks and debris in the backyard made the yard look so much better that the task was clearly a joy. That was enough for one day.
It’s very satisfying to see the improvement from one day’s work.
I’m itching to get started in our little garden this spring. As the snow melts and becomes icy and heavy, I’ve been out to knock it off more delicate shrubs and checked for broken branches. I think I need one of those padded seats this year. I still work on my knees or bend to the ground. Not good.
I’m glad to say the snow has melted off the trees and shrubs here.
Glad you’re enjoying your spring cleanup Jason. I’m working on mine too at a nice, easy pace, and taking time to just sit and enjoy the sunshine. I agree with your method to break stems when possible–much faster that way.
Easier on the arms and shoulders, too, I think.
Love that little girls explanation of her basket things! And how true that we reconnect with the neighborhood when we spend time in the garden! As for the zombie I hear ya! I was lifting pots that I should not have been lifting! But clean up gets me so pumped about my space! Happy gardening Jason!! Here is to a great season! Nicole
Just remember, lift with your legs, not with your back. Then take aspirin for your legs.
Getting my hands into the dirt for the first time after a long winter is a pleasure like no other. I tell myself that the aches mean I’ve burned a lot of calories.
I like that! I’m going to tell myself the same thing.
No pain, no gain!
This had me laughing! I fully sympathise with the knee and thigh pain, and the effort required to get in and out of chairs afterwards…..and the groaning….and those who lack compassion re the torture we suffer!!!! Your zombie description was so funny….and so true!
I’m so pleased you got outdoors at last, and I love your bench, I must look out for one of those.
I did enjoy hearing about the little girl. How true re seeing the neighbours in the better weather as well, I chat to folk when I’m in the garden, it makes a community stronger when we all know each other, but the winter does stifle all that.xxx
The bench is a big help, though it makes me feel like an old codger.
Amusing post thanks. I love to be able to get on with a Spring clean outdoors. I feel so much better when i have been out in the air, raking, weeding, digging, mulching all great exercise after a sluggish Winter.So true about seeing people too, hardly see a soul during the Winter and even if you do nobody wants to hang around to exchange pleasantries. Yep the Spring is welcome round me.
Being outside working in the garden puts me in a much better mood as well.
I expect to have my own return again to the Land of the Living in a weed or two!
Well, spring is the season of resurrection.
It is pure pleasure. This post cracks me up. I have yet to cut back my nepeta but will do it this week with a mastodon in mind. I left all my plant debris in the garden to blow around and make a mess. All the easier for the birds to find little bits to make a nest. it felt great to break in my new knee pads. I did accidentally yank up one of my favorite plants. But it’s a tough soul so I’m hoping my quick shove back in the ground was enough to save it. 🙂
I also accidentally yank up a plant here and there, but generally I just stick them back in the soil as you do.
I love this post, full of gardening truths and smiles. I think you should shout timber, etc. when you pull the stalks of that cup plant. It may make your neighbours smile.
Maybe I’ll try shouting and see what happens.
Still a bit early as my garden still is under snow with more expected tonight. We have 40mph winds too which should add a mess to fix up first. In the twenties later this week too. Spring takes its time in our area, never follows the calendar.
Oh, I hate those high winds.
It is always a pleasure, and I have the same sore legs afterwards, But it is still a nice feeling.
Some people just don´t understand the need to express one self after a hard day in the garden 🙂 I also enjoy talking to people walking by, when I am in my front garden.
We shouldn’t be expected to suffer in silence!
You look so happy Jason, lovely photo of you. I clear up in late February early March but really dislike that gap of four weeks before plants start to shoot again. Do you ever have plants go “missing” from your front garden?
Oh yes, that happens quite often.
Spring seemed a long time getting here. I can completely relate. I’ve had my share of sore muscles the past few weeks. They’ve been resting far too long. It’s good to get back in the garden!
It really is, even with those sore muscles!
My garden looks similar. I didn’t know from where to start! Really agony and ecstasy in 8 parts 🙂 Thanks for sharing! Greets, Enfield Town Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
I usually start with the most “public” parts of the garden and work back from there.
You look very content there Jason – happy as a pig in the proverbial! Doesn’t it feel great to get out there and do a bit. Despite the fact we are all often a bit achy at this time of the year, as they say, No Pain, No Gain 🙂 I’ve a few wee corners that I need to tackle yet and hope to get onto them at the weekend.
Happy Spring Clean Up Jason.
It did feel great, in a partly masochistic sort of way.
There’s nothing like that first day of getting out in the garden and finally starting some spring clean-up, especially on the gorgeous days we had earlier this week! I have a garden bench like yours, but I find for most cutting back, I have to get down on my knees, which means some very achy joints for a few days. Love your enthusiasm about cutting back the cup plants–ah, Wrigley Field just won’t be the same without Ernie this year!
Wrigley hasn’t been the same for quite a while, but we still go to a game or two every year.
The lack of compassion at our house is also disturbing.
I was out there yesterday with a heavy coat on clipping back hellebores and uncovering snowdrops. Even if I have to rake snow along with old stems tomorrow I’m going to get something done outside. I love it! (for the first few weeks at least, until the lawn needs mowing)
The snow is all melted now, though we’re supposed to get some flurries tomorrow.
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Spring cleanup is both a pleasure and a chore – a pleasure to be out again in the garden, with the anticipation of all to come; a chore because it is a lot of tough physical work. Like you, one of the great pleasures of being out in my garden is meeting the people who pass.
Tough work, but very satisfying when you see the results.