3. Pruning and cleaning
As winter fades, early spring pruning becomes essential in grooming your garden for new growth. pruning it not only shapes your plants, but also strengthens them, encouraging healthier and more vigorous growth.
When you prune, there is always a purpose—to remove dead or diseased wood, improve air circulation, or encourage productive growth. I use clean, sharp tools to make precise cuts, always taking into account the natural shape and health of the plant.
Instead of seeing fallen leaves and branches as trash, I see them as valuable resources. Light layers of leaves can be left in place to decompose naturally, enriching the soil. Larger pieces can be added to great culture, pile of garbage or used as mulchcontributing to the regeneration cycle of the garden.
Instead of throwing away all the garden waste, I create clusters of habitats in discrete corners of the garden. These piles provide shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife, turning what might otherwise be seen as trash into a biodiversity asset.
My approach to clearing is gentle and caring, preserving the structure of the soil and the microhabitats it supports. I avoid compacting the soil with heavy equipment and use hand tools wherever possible, keeping in mind the delicate balance of the garden. Often, I find that what may initially seem like a cleaning task is actually an opportunity to observe and learn. A patch of garden that looks overgrown can be a thriving micro-ecosystem, providing food and shelter for a variety of creatures. Learn how my home became a certified wildlife habitat here: How to turn your yard into an amazing certified wildlife habitat and botanical sanctuary
