As much as I like gardening, I do not like to enjoy cleaning the garden as much as I like planting seedlings, or harvesting. Fortunately, this is not a big problem, rather it is beneficial to leave dead plants in garden beds. I tend to leave dead plants over winter in the garden beds to decompose over winter to feed the soil and serve as winter mulch so the soil is not bare. Then coming spring, I clear the beds and put what remains from the dead plants in the compost pile.
Dead plants can be left in the garden over winter as garden mulch and soil cover. During the growing season do not leave dead plants in the garden beds, especially vegetable ones. During the growing season, clear the dead plants and put them in a compost pile or dispose of them. All the diseased plants should be discarded or burned so the disease does not spread, especially the ones caused by viruses.
When should I remove dead plants from my garden?
During the growing season remove dead plants immediately. If it is not a growing season yet, and it is after winter, wait till the spring days are warmer with about 45-50F, and the soil is thawed and workable. Remove the dead plants before amending, and preparing the soil for planting.
Garden rakes are a great tool to remove leaves and anything that lays on top of the soil. I use a regular, good old wooden handle garden rake with metal teeth.
I prefer the wooden handle tools with the metal bottoms as they last, and feel natural when working with them. In my experience, the plastic handles broke much faster than the wooden ones.
Can I bury dead plants in my garden?
Yes, if the dead plants did not carry any disease, and are dead because they ended their life cycle or were broken off, they can be buried in the garden. As they decay, they will release nutrients into the soil and come organize matter in your garden beds. The best time to bury dead plants in the garden is when preparing them for the next growing season. It is not advisable to bury dead plants in the garden beds during the growing season. If you have a pile of dead plants, you can create a compost pile. If the dead plant died because of the disease and the plant carries the disease, it should be rather burned or disposed of in the trash. Never bury plants that carry any disease into your garden as the disease might spread to healthy plants and kill them.
Bury dead plants using a garden shovel. Dig a hole, or a trench large and deep enough to contain dead plants. Put the dead plants in and using the same garden shovel cover them with the same soil that was just dug out. A garden shovel is a great essential tool for any gardener. It is very helpful to have when loosening the soil, digging holes and trenches for new plants, burring plants, and digging out the plants with roots when moving or removing them.
Are dead plants good for the soil?
Yes, dead plants that ended their life cycle or were broken off, are good for the soil. When they are buried in the ground they decay, break down, and become a food supply for the soil organisms. Dead plants are organic matter that amends the soil and feeds bacteria, fungi, earthworms, and other organisms that live in the soil.
What to do with dead outdoor plants?
Put the dead outdoor plants in a compost pile, or create one by piling them up in a compost heap. If there is no space for the compost pile it is ok to bury the dead outdoor plants that do not carry any disease in the ground in preparation for the next growing season. Dead plants can be also disposed of in the trash or burned.
Should I leave dead plants in the garden over winter?
Dead plants which do not carry any disease, can be left in the garden over winter. They can serve as winter mulch, decomposing matter, and a winter cover for garden beds. They can also become a home for useful insects and critters.
Do dead leaves turn into soil?
Dead leaves turn into organic matter useful for the soil. Dead leaves become leaf mould after it is decomposed. It might take months for the leaves to decompose on their own. To help leaves decompose faster, they can be shredded simply by using a weed wacker. Leaf mould is a great organic matter to amend the soil with. It holds moisture well, adds nutrients to the soil, feeds beneficial bacteria, and aerates the soil.
How to shred leaves?
Rake the leaves, put them in a large plastic bucket or a bin, and shred them using a weed wacker. The Weed wacker will serve as a shredder that will shred leaves into small pieces. Shredded leaves decompose much faster than the whole leaves.
I use an electric weed wacker. I needed a weed wacker that is light and did not want to deal with gas or a backpack as my property and garden is small. I use this electric Makita weed wacker with reacharble battery. It is relatively light, very handy to use, and does the job well. It comes with a battery and a charger. I always have an extra battery handy so as one is being used the other one charges and is ready for me when the first battery dies.
Can dead plants act as fertilizer?
Yes, dead plants act as fertilizers once they decay. Dead leaves and dead plants without any disease, become like compost that nourishes the soil and soil life.
Can I use dead plants as mulch?
Yes, dead plants and leaves can be used as mulch. They can be thrown on pathways to decay slowly and turn into natural mulch. They can also be shredded and used as spring mulch.
Will dead outdoor plants grow back?
Dead outdoor plants will grow back if the root of the plant is still alive. Check the roots, if the roots of the plants are dead, or rotten, the plant is completely dead and will not grow back. In general, if the root underground is alive, the dead plant will grow back because the root will send new shots out.
Do dead plants decompose?
Yes, dead plants will eventually decompose. Soft and leafy plants will decompose faster than woody, hard plants. But all plants will decompose. They can be used as an addition to the compost piles. Once the dead plants decompose, they will turn into compost which is very beneficial for the garden and the soil.
How do I clear my garden in the spring?
