Spring Garden Clean up Timing
- Shannon Watters
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Shannon Watters of Watters Edge Realty
As an Associate Broker, Realtor®, Master Naturalist, Director with the National Loon Center Foundation and Whitefish Area Property Owners Association. I’m committed to providing my clients with the best real estate knowledge and service to help meet their buying and selling goals as well as equipping them with best stewardship knowledge and community connection to thrive for years to come.
As winter loosens its grip on Minnesota, gardeners eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring. However, knowing when to start cleaning your garden is essential for plant health, pollinators, and overall garden success. Starting too early can be harmful, while waiting too long might delay growth and maintenance. So, when is the best time to start, and why does timing matter?
The Best Time to Start Garden Cleanup
In Minnesota, it’s best to wait until daytime temperatures consistently reach around 50°F (10°C) for several days in a row. This typically occurs between early April and mid May in Minnesota. The reason for this timing is simple: beneficial insects, including native bees and butterflies, overwinter in garden debris. If you clean up too early, you may inadvertently remove these pollinators before they emerge.
Why Timing Matters
Protecting Pollinators and Beneficial Insects - Many insects, including solitary bees, ladybugs, and butterflies, spend the winter in leaf litter, hollow stems, and plant debris. Waiting until temperatures are consistently warm ensures they have time to wake up and emerge naturally, helping maintain a healthy ecosystem in your garden.
Preventing Soil Compaction - Early spring can mean wet, thawing soil. Walking on or working in overly wet soil can compact it, reducing oxygen availability and hindering plant root growth. Allowing time for the ground to dry out ensures healthier soil structure.
Minimizing Disease Spread - If your garden experienced issues with fungal diseases or pests last season, cleaning up debris at the right time can help break the disease cycle. Removing infected leaves and stems once temperatures warm up can prevent reinfection while allowing overwintering beneficial insects to emerge first.
Encouraging New Growth - Once temperatures are warm enough, cutting back perennials and removing dead material helps stimulate new growth and allows sunlight to reach emerging shoots. This promotes healthy plant development and an earlier start to the growing season.
How to Clean Your Garden in Spring
Leave Some Areas Undisturbed: If possible, your garden undisturbed until late spring to support late-emerging pollinators.
Cut Back Perennials with Care: Trim dead stems but leave some with hollow centers for bees to continue using.
Compost Wisely: Add disease-free plant material to compost, but dispose of any diseased or pest-infested debris separately.
Mulch Thoughtfully: Once the soil has warmed up, adding mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds without smothering emerging plants.
Final Thoughts
Waiting for the right time to clean your Minnesota garden is essential for fostering a thriving, biodiverse space. By waiting until temperatures reach 50°F consistently, you protect pollinators, preserve soil health, and encourage strong plant growth. With mindful timing and careful cleanup, your garden will be ready to flourish in the growing season ahead.
Real Estate Corner:
The Brainerd Lakes area in Minnesota is currently experiencing a dynamic real estate market with notable trends as we enter spring 2025.
Current Market Overview:
Median Home Prices: As of February 2025, the median home sold price in Brainerd was $310,000, reflecting an 11.2% increase from the previous year.
Average Home Values: Zillow reports an average home value of $283,646 in Brainerd, marking a 3.7% rise over the past year.
Market Type: The area is currently considered a buyer's market, indicating that the supply of homes exceeds demand.
Inventory and Sales Dynamics:
Housing Inventory: The beginning of 2025 has seen limited housing inventory in the Brainerd Lakes area, particularly for waterfront properties.
Days on Market: Homes in Brainerd are spending more time on the market, with an average of 157 days compared to 79 days last year.
Anticipated Trends for Spring 2025:
Home Value Appreciation: Forecasts indicate a steady appreciation, with home values expected to grow by 1.9% by August 2025.
Buyer Competition: Despite limited inventory, relatively high interest rates have kept the pool of buyers smaller, leading to fewer showings and offers.
Overall, the Brainerd Lakes real estate market presents opportunities for both buyers and sellers this spring. Buyers may find favorable conditions due to the buyer's market status, while sellers can benefit from the appreciating home values. Staying informed about local trends and working with a knowledgeable real estate professional will be key to navigating this evolving market.
News of this being a Buyers market is a welcome relief to many buyers!! That doesn't mean, if you are wanting to purchase, that you can relax and let homes come to you!! You still need to be proactive and active. If you would like to search for a new property reach out and let's get you into your dream home:
Watters Edge Realty has several new properties on the market. Come check them out!!
If you are interested in learning about the value of your home:
Recipes of the Month:
Seafood and fish are one of my FAVORITE foods!! This is a lovely way to make salmon!!
WAPOA and Loon Center Community Events: |
April 10 - Loon and Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes Brewery 6-8 pm |
May 1 - Loons and Lakes Trivia at Breezy Point Dockside 6-8 pm |
May 8 - Loon and Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes Brewery 6-8 pm |
May 17 - Moments of Loons and Lakes Trivia at Snarky Loon 4-5 pm |
June 5 - Loons and Lakes Trivia at Breezy Point Dockside 6-8 pm |
June 19 - Loon and Lakes Trivia at 14 Lakes Brewery 6-8 pm |
June 20-21 - Loon and Lakes Festival |
As the Loon Center and WAPOA start to gear up for the excitement of 2025 season, if you are interested in being added to the volunteer list for opportunities: |
If you love doing trivia, love loons and our lakes and want to host trivia each month, we have opportunities for you as our trivia location opportunities are growing!! |
To stay up on the latest events: |
If you have a recipe, tip or question about real estate, nature or community, send us a note:
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