The Long Island Conservancy encourages residents to embrace the winter months as an opportunity to nurture both their gardens and local ecosystems. Winter on Long Island brings its own stark beauty as grasses fade to gold and the intricate branches of deciduous trees are revealed. Between snowfalls, there are plenty of winter gardening tasks that reward gardeners with fresh air, the sight of winter birds, and spectacular sunsets.
“Even in the quiet of winter, your yard plays a vital role in supporting native wildlife,” said Devon Giordano, executive director of the Long Island Conservancy. “Winter may be cold, but with a little preparation, like leaving leaf litter and seed heads in place, residents can provide crucial support to birds, insects, and small mammals while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the season.”
Leave Perennials and Leaves for Wildlife
Gardeners are encouraged to leave perennials standing through the winter. Hollow stems provide essential winter shelter for insects, while leaf litter supports lightning bug larvae and provides protection for mammals such as red bats. Leaves and stalks should remain in place until late spring, when daytime and nighttime temperatures consistently exceed 50 degrees, ensuring that insects and hibernating wildlife have safely emerged.
Prune in the Colder Months
Winter dormancy is the perfect time to prune trees and shrubs. Gardeners should focus on removing the “4 D’s”: Dead, Dying, Diseased, and Dangerous branches, as well as crossing or rubbing branches that can become vulnerable to infection. Pruning cuts should be made at a 45-degree angle above a bud or branch. Avoid pruning in wet conditions and never remove more than a third of a tree’s branches at one time.
Combat Invasive English Ivy
Even when the ground is frozen, winter is ideal for removing invasive English ivy (Hedera helix) from trees. Ivy can weigh down trees, making them vulnerable in high winds, and it provides cover for rodents, increasing the risk of Lyme disease. Cut ivy in a circle around the trunk and leave it attached to die naturally. Once the ground thaws, remove ivy from the soil using a metal rake and long-handled weed puller to reduce strain.
Direct Sowing Native Plants
Winter is also a prime time for direct sowing of native plants that require natural cold stratification. Species such as Eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) are ideal choices. While flowers may not bloom in the first year, they provide critical nectar and pollen for early spring pollinators, including hummingbirds.
Plan and Dream Your Winter Garden
Winter is a season for observation and planning. Leave seed heads from native plants such as Black-eyed Susans, native asters, Joe-Pye weed, mountain mint, and grasses like Little bluestem to feed birds during lean months. Evergreens like American holly, inkberry holly, and winterberry holly provide winter berries, while larger trees such as Eastern red cedar and Eastern white pine offer valuable shelter and food for wildlife.
For more information about local conservation and a complete list of invasive species that are prevalent throughout Long Island, visit the Long Island Conservancy website https://longislandconservancy.com/.