6 yard and garden cleanup tasks you should skip, according to experts

Save time and energy while still getting better blooms.

There’s plenty to love about gardening: the satisfaction of growing something from seed, the connection to the earth, or simply spending more time outdoors. However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Experienced gardeners know that it also involves a lot of time and physical labor, particularly when it comes to cleanup.

As a result, it’s always wise to pare down your list of to-dos when you can. Fortunately, there are more time-saving opportunities than you might think—and cutting out steps can even be beneficial for your plants in the long run. Here, experts share six garden cleanup tasks that you can skip.

Related: 6 Essential Tasks for Your Fall Yard Clean-Up

Raking Leaves

Cleaning away crunchy piles of leaves might feel like a necessity in fall. However, they provide a wealth of hidden benefits, including as a natural mulch. “They recycle nutrients for plants but also host a wide range of insects and wildlife, such as fireflies,” says Damon Abdi, assistant professor of landscape horticulture at Louisiana State University AgCenter.

So instead of hauling leaves away, allow them to rest where they naturally fall in garden beds. “Or, shred them to create a natural mulch that helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates soil temperature, and gradually improves soil health as they break down,” says Anton Ledin, gardener and plant expert at Planta.

Deadheading Every Plant

While deadheading is beneficial for certain plants like petunias, many modern annuals are self-cleaning. “Some perennials naturally slow flowering as the season progresses,” says Ledin. “Leaving some spent flower heads also allows for some self-seeding and natural spread.”

This is particularly true for hydrangea paniculata, lilies, and ornamental grasses. “In fact, it’s best to allow faded foliage from ornamental grasses to remain throughout winter, as this provides an important habitat for wildlife to survive the cold,” says Abdi. “All this to say, don’t deadhead or excessively prune plants for no reason—be intentional with your species-specific maintenance.”

Related: 10 Plants You Should Never Deadhead, According to Gardening Experts

Pruning Tomato Plants

Gardening lore taught many of us that tomato plants should be trimmed to get a strong bounty—however, that’s not always the case. “I’ve always given mine a very hard prune by taking out all the suckers, but this year I let them be, and I’ve been able to harvest the most tomatoes I’ve ever gotten compared to previous seasons,” says Quilenthia Wingfield-Accime, founder of Dearest Garden. “I did this with determinate tomatoes. Letting them be wild and free allowed me to work less and be rewarded for it.”

Pulling Vegetables Immediately

Wingfield-Accime recommends letting vegetables go to seed, instead of pulling them right after they bolt. “The pollinators absolutely love the seed heads, so I leave them in the garden,” she says. “Once they are spent, you can harvest the seed heads for yourself. Plus, some plants will drop their seeds and surprise you with volunteer plants next growing season.”

Replacing Mulch

A fixed schedule to replace mulch might provide the illusion of structure, but it can actually be more helpful to play things by ear. “Letting it break down naturally will add nutrients to your soil,” says Ledin. “Just top up spots where the mulch looks thin and maintain a 2 to 3 inch layer to help regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and prevent weeds.”

Craving a simpler solution? “Try planting living ground covers like creeping thyme or ajugam,” says Ledin. “Once established, they will shade the soil, prevent weeds from germinating, and add seasonal interest.”

Related: Do You Really Need to Mulch Your Garden Every Year? Here's What Experts Say

Trimming Tulip and Daffodil Leaves

Tulips and daffodils add beautiful flair to gardens in spring. Plus, they don’t require as much maintenance as other plants. “You don’t need to clear tulip or daffodil leaves after they’ve bloomed,” says Marie Helene-Atwood, garden designer and founder of Edible Petals. “The leaves are taking sunlight and require the energy to bloom again. It’s better to let them resorb on their own.”

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