Cleaning Up Garden Mistakes, Cutting Back Catmint, Pruning Panicle Hydrangeas, Moving A Vitex

[@MicheleLHarvey]

A garden is always an unfinished canvas, no? One's tastes change as do one's needs. Nearing 70, I'm looking at how to make my garden prettier with less maintenance. I had a friend that said her garden would slowly turn to woods as she got older. Different perhaps, but just as beautiful when planned. I never thought raking would be so satisfying to watch. But watching your garden reveal itself under your practiced hands has been very enjoyable! Thanks, Danielle!

[@dianeasberry7928]

I use to trim everything back with shears just like you, then I started mowing with the lawn mower the parts that could be mowed, then trimming everything else with my battery hedge trimmers. What a game changer. The mowed parts can be left as mulch, including the grass leaves and the leaves from my trees. The garden always looks so good after the cleanup, doesn't it? I always feel such an accomplishment. Happy gardening.

[@karlathiessen]

I use my trimmer to cut back my perennials. I have 10 acres of yard, so it works really well for me.

[@dora59]

Love to see kitty having fun in the garden

[@suzannebartow6390]

I like it that you narrate while you work, so much more interesting when you do both at the same time....rather than just talk while we watch your face like other channels. Love your channel and never miss an episode.

[@health.bites.5615]

What a blessing to be able to garden in the middle of February!! We've had out touch of spring in mid-Michigan too--so unheard of! I was moving the bird feeder 2 days ago--which could never happen in winter. The ground is so soft! But yesterday, we had an ice-storm, followed by a few inches of snow, so we are back to winter again. But the male red-winged blackbirds have returned and the hellebores are budding, so I know spring is advancing. It won't be long til we will join you in garden clean-up. I hope you find that antique table to make your flower potager a beautiful garden retreat! Thanks for sharing!

[@gaysullivan1942]

May and June are my favorites. Such excitement seeing bulbs returning and perennials doing their thing. Heat and humidity are my nemesis.

[@donnalieblick8478]

I totally agree with you! May is the sweetest month of the year! I do love the bulbs coming from March through the end of April but I love MAY! Roses and peonies and sweet peas--everything green and fresh and lush--! I love the cool temperatures and sunny days here in Southern Oregon, Zone 8B--in May!

[@norasanchez7459]

I have to say that a garden or a yard is definetly a story-teller, from someone who really, really cares to someone who just and only has time for a clean cut & trim, sadly I am and admirer from a distance & not quite able to keep a nice garden.... too hot in my area for beautiful flowers & other lovely grasses, so thank you for sharing your beautiful garden😍

[@debbismirnoff1424]

I’m in Calif 9b and 73. My favorite month is April. I love seeing all the new growth poking through! I’m tired from watching you rake! Lol

[@elaineanderson2068]

My favorite month is June. I’m in zone 5 in Michigan and we usually plant between Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. All of our annuals go in then. I really enjoy your videos. 🌷💐

[@dkjolie]

I watched this video because after watching all these pictures perfect summer Gardens I needed to see a garden that looks the way mine looks in the middle of the winter and all of the work it takes to get it ready to be that picture perfect in the summer! I now know that I'm not alone😛

[@marilynruggeberg]

May is my favorite. The earth is coming alive. The bulbs and early Spring flowers are blooming. I am so jealous but love to watch you cleaning up the Garden. I am in Iowa Zone 5 and we are having an Ice Storm. It will be awhile before I can get into the Garden to work. Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@joycedagostino8869]

You did lots of hard work but it is great to have a nice day and do cleanup, and then see the nice clean landscape. I appreciate when you mention what did and did not work so great, all of us who have gardens experience that and we learn from it. Grace and Rocky were having an enjoyable time outside with you too. Thanks again.

[@NicolesGardenNS]

We must be similar age, I’ll be 40 this coming December. May is definitely my favorite month too, so full of hope, beautiful bulbs and no ‘problems’ that sometimes come up later in the season. Your channel is such an inspiration!

[@flowerpixel]

39 here 👋

[@kathiesimpson571]

You have such a lovely garden and I appreciate you sharing the mundane chores as well as all the beauty and helpful tips. One bit of food for thought is chop and drop. Instead of paying for the grass clippings to be hauled off, cut them up and spread around plants as free earth friendly fertilizer. I usually top those with a small amount of mulch. From the first year I used this method until now, my plants are happier and healthier. A little love for our stressed eco system💚🍃🐛🪱🌸

[@timshel011]

I remember having a extraordinaire mild Winter in Massachusetts previously. One big problem with that is the tick population was extremely high. Be careful out there... Thanks for the great video.

[@claybakin2478]

Another great video! Many thanks from your zone 6b neighbor in the Eastern Panhandle WV. We use Sun Joe CJ601E Electric Wood Chipper/Shredder, 14-Amp from Amazon for a lot of our garden cleanup. Loving the spring like weather here too but it’s maybe a little too early for the high 70s here yesterday, Feb 23!

[@urchinsushi2041]

❤ your idea for putting an old table in the center of the garden! - it’ll be a wonderful and functional focal point, not to mention a fun “shopportunity” - love going antiquing - maybe a MILLSTONE top?? - who knows what you will find 😊

[@gardenadventures716]

Great video. Glad I’m not the only one who plants things in the wrong spot. 😊 We’re having a cold snap now, can’t wait for a good garden clean up day

[@mariap4828]

I’m Sure I’ll be rearranging things later this year and next. I’ll be making my house property “Mine” over the next few years. I’ve even over bought already so I’ll have to either Pot them or plant them till I remove the current plants or shrubs. Yes, I’m having fun just watching Danielle give us tips already.

[@kimfox5186]

I love to see the garden in March here in the North of France, once it's all clean and mulched but revealing some spring growth and the promise of things to come. I love September in the garden because I can make adjustments and get shrubs planted so they have time to establish. July is wonderful, too, because everything grows comfortably. I suppose those are my 3 favourite months, but the other 9 are pretty good, too, with the exception of January. Many thanks for this video. I always learn something from you 😍

[@cindybohl9593]

May is definitely my favorite month in the garden. Everything is so green and lush! My husband and I were married in May.

[@lorrainecourtney4589]

"Maybe I should title this video RAKING ." 😃😄😅😉 Can't wait to see your Spring bulbs 😀 I agree, everything looks so fresh in May... besides, it's my birthday month 😉

[@rosemacdougall2967]

I love the excitement of spring to see what is going to spring up! Thank you for another beautiful video. Seed starting is keeping my mind off the snow. So looking forward to spring cleanup!!

[@sammysworld5485]

I do my garden clean ups in spurts so I don’t get overwhelmed or too tired. I try to get everything done by end of February & early March. I just finished fertilizing everything in my garden for Spring so I’m very happy. My garden mistakes was planting two dapple willows in my front bed. As beautiful they appear, they require multiple pruning to control size. They are very fast growers.

[@NJGardengirl1961]

May is always so beautiful with fresh greens of every shade, and seeing what is coming back, or reseeding wherever. However, I love June!

[@GardenerPhyl]

I won’t be able to start my cleanup until the snow melts, around mid April.🇨🇦 So it actually brings me joy and hope to see you rake your beds. I love the idea of a round table in your cut flower/deck area. Perfect place to enjoy your wonderful arrangements. When I was in my 20’s I loved the heat of summer, but I’m turning 60 next week and find that September is my favourite-favourite time of year. Thanks kindly for this video.

[@madambutterfly5343]

My favorite months in the garden are April and May. Everything is so fresh, things sprouting, blooming. The air has the sweet smell of flowers. My least favorite months in the garden are August and September. Things are slowing down, it’s hot, humid. The blooms of some plants begin to fade. The air becomes stale, hot, uncomfortable.

[@pansyface00]

Liked that you mentioned what you decided to do in the cutting garden. Glad that you are relocating the birdbath. Also glad you are replacing a plastic pot. Haha. Could not tell from the video that it was plastic. A huge terra cotta would be awesome but certainly not a fan of plastic. Looking forward to all your videos.

[@goldensgreensandblues3858]

Just retired and ready to discover a favorite month as I spend time in my new garden.

[@elanacrane7820]

I’m so excited to see the jewel tones in your garden.

[@valeriesavoie3814]

Love your videos! 💛 My favorite month is September. Those dahlias… they’re worth the wait! (Plus, no more mosquitoes 😝)

[@Islandgirl4ever2]

This has been me the past week and last.. Getting ready for spring.. had so many beautiful warm and sunny days!

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thanks Danielle. My favorite time in the garden is when my dormant plants, trees and shrubs start waking up. Rebirth, I love it! ❄️💚🙃

[@gigizaino8805]

Thank you for another inspirational video! I feel we are all taking advantage of an unusually warm February, getting the clean up done this early has never happened for me in zone 6A. I agree, late May is where is at (now that I'm turning 41 in 2 weeks 😅). When the weather plays it's cards right, you can have the spring bulbs still going, while the first perennials and roses are starting to bloom! It's absolute perfection. Wish we could all share some of our favorite pics from May blooms. ☺️

[@daiseegray9110]

Always love your videos, they are so informative. We have a winter storm in Michigan, so I can’t even imagine doing clean up for quite some time. Enjoy your nice weather 🌼🐝

[@tammysipola9751]

I always cut back my flower beds literally days before the first snowfall in North Eastern MN. I have never regretted it.

[@deniseb2571]

Same. I love May and June. Can't take the humidity as I get older. 🌷

[@anya229]

Love your little garden helper!

[@aalejardin]

I'm with you, May is the best here in the Hudson Valley. July and August are too hot and humid for me these days although I was perfectly happy as a child in summer growing up in the 50's with no AC. I was out on those warm days doing the same thing and for the same reason -- crocus and snowdrops are already blooming and daffs are coming up. Bees and other pollinators were swarming the witch hazels.

[@selenanieto8152]

Hi Danielle, I wanted to share with you what I do with my ornamental grasses. I have an electric hedge trimmer which has saved me so much time cutting down perennials, especially ornamental grass. After cutting down the ornamental grass, I use the electric hedge trimmer to cut it into smaller pieces. Then you just take the smaller pieces and use it as mulch for your flowerbeds. Then you will not have to spend money getting rid of it and you will have some nice mulch for your garden beds! Hope this helps!

[@thomasonmike7170]

Hi pretty lady. How are you doing today? And how is the weather over there?

[@beckyscheller9358]

Too early to clean up here in zone 5 central Indiana. Love the month of May in the garden also. Plus it’s race month for Indy 500🏎️🏎️🏎️) also garden tour in my area 😊

[@asianangie7209]

My fave season use to be fall but as I get older, I am loving spring as well! Thanks for reminder about trimming hydrangeas! The garden looks so clean, I’m jealous!

[@richbishop7896]

I should be out there doing a clean up in my garden too. It's covered in snow and ice right now. May is my busiest month and excited to see all the perennials as they emerge. My favourite month is June. The peonies and roses are in full bloom. We are lucky here because we have a free yard waste pick-up day by the city every other week. Bonny zone 5b Canada

[@julipolito7761]

It’s okay! Raking is so satisfying, for me, to watch. I have three Vitex, here in the Tucson, AZ, zone 9. They are such performers in my zone. They are in full bloom, right now. I hope for another bloom in the Fall.

[@kelleyspiller5330]

Garden clean up is so satisfying, especially when you see some new growth when the chopping and raking is finished!

[@mswyman100]

I’ve had this conversation (favorite month/season) with my sons recently & we came to the conclusion that when we’re young our favorite month is tied very closely to summer break. Now, It turns out that our favorite season is fall, but, I must admit that I love spring much more than I did when I was young.

[@bohemiangardensandgourdfar8812]

You go girl 💪...way to get it done! I'm saying this as I sit here planning my own garden ventures today... love how the first sign of warmer days can motivate us to tackle the world.

[@emkn1479]

I’d love to try and grow vitex in my zone. I’ll have to look into it. And about the grasses…I bet you could run them through a small chipper/shredder which would reduce the volume drastically and give you something you could use as mulch. Just an idea 🤷‍♀️ they seem to be a pain.

[@amyc9642]

I thought the same about the chipper/shredder.

[@lindylou3519]

Definitely get yourself a small wood chipper & use alot if it as natural mulch for your beds.

[@holly_kay5570]

Love when things are tidy again and ready for new growth! You need a chain saw like Laura on Garden Answer has....it is so fast and clean to use.

[@elizabethtowe7470]

A very common solution here to burning garden debris here in NE North Carolina - a metal burn barrel. 🌱💕

[@rspruill1422]

I am in NJ zone 7a and for me….my yard looks the best from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. I adore it. I guess mostly due to my bearded Irises and Hostas. Though this year it might change. I’ve acquired a lot of shrubs and perennials. Last year I purchased a couple Holy Grails, a few Deutzias, several pugster buddlehias. And I can’t wait to purchase the pufferfish hydrangea and the edible apricot rose. So maybe Summer will be my new favor time in the garden start!!!

[@marymurphy4825]

The perennial grasses are a beast! they can take over your space quickly. I love the look of them but picking a spot to enjoy them requires some planning. I love every month of gardening; each has something beautiful to grow or harvest. I have to say May is my favorite month because I love lily of the valley so much. 😍Wishing everyone a beautiful spring. Happy gardening 🌸🌼🌷🌺🏵🌻🌹

[@capecodcottagegarden]

Lucky you! Its been raining every weekend here but I'm also itching to get out and do some cleaning up so it was nice to at least watch someone else get outside :)

[@bestsun]

I loved this video! I've been doing the same thing this week. Wednesday, here in Tennessee, was in the high 70's and yesterday was a 120 year record breaker. My hyacinths started blooming in January, so did the daffodils. The tulip magnolias were blooming 2 weeks ago. The tulips are about 2 inches high. We are at least 2 months, almost 3 months earlier than our typical Spring. Love you new haircut, by the way.🙂

[@gardeningonthewestforkwith8994]

Love watching you clean out I am now motivated to cut back my grasses today yipee and thanks for information about boxwood trim may do the same today for same reasons. Excited to see your garden burst into bloom soon . Thanks again for movtivating me

[@BobbieJeanM]

I’m just south of you and maple trees are already budding out. Yesterday I saw a small cherry tree in full bloom. My daffodils have blooms but haven’t opened yet. All of these plants are at least a month early! The worrisome part of all this are the peach and apple orchards in this area because of the cold front coming through this weekend. May and October are my favorites! I don’t like summer or winter and these two months are the best in fall and winter, for me at least. 😊

[@ellenshaw1341]

I'm worried about the peach and apple trees too. Here, on the shores of Lake Ontario, we've had some very unseasonably warm days. Last night, a serious ice/snow storm. Weather patterns have definitely shifted. I do love Spring, now that I'm older.

[@freyaa1905]

May is my favorite as well. It doesn't rain all summer where I live and May is still fresh lush and green.

[@gracebailey3638]

My favorite month is mid May/early June. Would be May if my spring started earlier here In Wisconsin! First flush of nepeta, salvia plus plus peonies, allium! Gorgeous!

[@ralugator]

We're having a cold snap in the Midwest this week, but I can't wait for the weekend to get some garden cleaning done. Your hard work is an inspiration. May and October are my favorite months - the bookends to the gardening season.

[@sivlow264]

Exactly my thought as I woke up this morning. A day for cleanup and trying to fix mistakes from previous years. I planted 3 oakleaf hydrangeas many years ago along the driveway of my business, and although they are gorgeous, they need to be cut back. I wish I knew how big they would turn out to be when I planted them. Going to make a last attempt to cut them back, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll remove them in the fall. Which will be a huge job. Love your videos, and October is my favorite month.❤

[@ViveClaire]

I love your ever changing garden ideas. It’s as they say, artistry in constant motion. I think the raised beds as a ‘productive space’ can really fit in with the cozy English garden motif that you and I love. Call that the ‘kitchen garden’ and a few edibles and crops of annual flowers can take on old meaning. A work table in the middle that is both practical and beautiful sounds like a great idea.

[@jenniferwolford4646]

Danielle, try a hedge trimmer on your grasses. It whips them right down and in a uniform fashion, too. You can cut right down to the crown!

[@mariap4828]

Our recent house purchase set for retirement in a few years is in zone seven. It’s just like when I lived on Long Island. The former owner used a lot of daylilies and lavender and some shrubs I’m not crazy about, but I’ll keep the Andromeda. I’m so anxious to see what comes up at that house so I can improve it, add to it or remove it. You can tell how anxious by how much money I spent on bulbs, bare roots and plants, and it’s only over the Internet. Wait till I get to the local nursery! At this point I’ll have to watch all the guidance around this house. Hello I am too so I won’t have a favorite month per season probably for another year or so.

[@tammywinter9268]

We also have to take our clipped grasses to our park which allows for free dumping of our yard waste. I need to get myself some of those clippers you were using. I think I love may/June. I like getting the garden cleaned up, and planting new things. enjoy you channel, always learn something.

[@wendykirklian8570]

Danielle, how lucky you are to be out in the garden this week. We’ve had some warm weather in Maine too, but today it’s 6 to 8 inches of snow. So working on my patience. My favorite month has always been May, my birthday month, but also all the beautiful spring flowers and the hope of a beautiful summer to come.

[@Peachy08]

I am 64 and as a little girl up untill my 40s I loved summer. The older I get the less I can tolerate the heat. May is now my favorite month. That is when my garden is in full bloom and the temps are wonderful. I am in Georgia and the humidity is awful!

[@joannetullini6814]

I tie up my grasses and slice through them with a battery operated trimmer. Trim the catmint with it as well. All the bending and raking, ouch. But it's so worth it. Love your garden.

[@marjoriefinlay3303]

Just found you. Great. Vlog. I'm in southern Ontario on lake ontario. Snow still on the ground. March 31

[@jessicaeiss2541]

For me in central NY, June is the best garden month... I work hard in April and May to get everything looking good and planted, and then the June rains make it look great! By Aug, pretty much most of the garden is over grown, but the dahlias are just really putting on their show.... there's so much to look forward to each year, good and bad. Lump those composting costs into your annual household bills too.... I will be purchasing a smaller end chipper shredder this year to shred leaves, sunflowers, and my dahlia stalks, so they all can go right back on top of my dahlia rows and veg garden for the winter. There's no sense in putting those hard stalks over the bank when they can be benefitting the soil. Have you given that a thought before? All of that dried material would fit in your composter better.

[@inkagogo]

Great job! Soon I will be doing the same... As for the dry ornamental grasses and other garden debris, maybe consider a garden shredder/grinder? It will grind everything into mulch like substance. Then you can use it around the yard, just remove weedy seed heads prior to shredding. This item is on my list to buy, I, too have plenty grasses and clippings.

[@amyjones2490]

September is my favorite month, the heavy work of summer on our farm is over and I finally have time to just enjoy the beauty and fine weather.

[@pamelacorsi]

There is an inexpensive grinder called a Work-X that could chop up the grasses into small pieces you could either compost or throw back down on the garden as mulch.

[@suekrebs3497]

As I watch your clean-up, we are covered in snow and ice in southern Wisconsin and can only dream of raking. May is my busiest and favorite month because I am visiting local garden centers, planting many pots and trying to plant out all the seedlings that I started inside under my grow lights. In May I look forward to the blooms of tulips, pansies, daffodils, multiple minor bulbs and hopefully ranunculus and anemones.

[@DonnaSea]

So thrilled that you talked about Crocosmia bulbs and that you will be planting more in your garden. I recently purchased 40 bulbs, but was unsure if I made a good choice since they take full sun. The variety I have is named Lucifer, which has red trumpet flowers. I'm still struggling with companion plants that would best complement Crocosmia.

[@marksketchley2607]

Maybe you should consider a shredder? That would greatly reduce you volume and speed up the compostig process. Thank you for all the great tips!

[@dianepuskas6362]

Hello, I enjoyed watching Rocky in your video-he's a great garden pal. Hey, have you thought of getting a small electric chipper/shredder? I have one and it's fine as long as the materials are straight and dry. It helps me manage my debris pile.

[@gardentours]

My favorite months change from summer to autumn 🍂 because the garden is so beautiful in fall.

[@susanhorn3910]

Danielle, I absolutely love that spherical fountain. Did you make that or purchase it? If you purchased it, where might I find one? Thank you for this video. I needed a calm place to hide for awhile, today.

[@brookehoffman7939]

😂definitely, as I get older I prefer the more mild months. Spring & Fall, or May and October are my favorites.

[@SharkSandwich451]

**Tip for ornamental grass trimming- bungee cords. I’m doing mine tomorrow and this keeps it together in a bunch once it’s cut. You may want to just dig those out - they can get very very massive. I have a love/hate relationship with my boxwoods and I pay to have mine pruned (too many to count - came with the house) next week (yahoo!) as well as my dogwoods & cherry tree very early to get a head start - refreshed one raised bed, uncovered some replanted and now showing green-daylilies (which seem to do well in 6b no matter where I plant them).

[@katherinelara1801]

I’ve used jute twins to make ornamental grass clean us a little more manageable. I just wrap the grass in the twin a few times around like a ponytail the use loppers or hedge trimmer to cut just above the ground. Once you transport the cut grass, you can actually save the twine.

[@crimsonroses1]

I have read that about vitex aswell and I was skeptical. I'm in northern Michigan tho so still a zone or two colder than you. I will have to research it more.

[@xTrengo]

summer is still my favorite as I approach 60 :D it really is just a number! a meaningless one... august is nice, the city is empty, but july's my favorite, nice hot days and beaches aren't crowded yet. nothing says summer like waking up to sun rays and blackbirds singing outside

[@marilynmourdock3688]

Have you thought about getting a chipper shredder for your ornamental grasses? You could create a compost area and not have to pay someone else to take it

[@lorilawton9546]

Can you do an update on your fall sown annuals? I’m in NJ zone 7 and lost quite a few varieties. It’s been so mild, so I’m surprised🤷🏼‍♀️

[@kimbar11]

At the beginning of the video, what variety of arborvitae are the tall evergreens? How far away from the fence do they extend? They don’t look like they’re planted very far away from the fence, which is what I need. Curious!

[@cyhomer]

Danielle, I have watching any of your videos where you are teaching us about hardy annuals. Gonna try it this year, altho I am behind here this spring for the early sowing. But I can hardly wait for fall to direct sow them. One question: can I direct sow ALL of the hardy annuals in the fall, or only certain ones? I am in sw Michigan, zone 6a (microclimate next to Lake Michigan). Thanks so much!

[@Springdalecottage]

I use hedge trimmers to cut back the big grasses. I have a lot of them and my arms get so tired! Still have 6” of snow on the ground here. Patiently waiting…🌱

[@cindylouhoo144]

I was wondering if you contemplated buying a small chipper to run things through

[@karenbudnick]

May and June are my favorite months in the garden so I dread the end of June cut-back. My rebloom isn't nearly as pretty. I may be doing something wrong. Possibly not enough fertilizing?

[@kimberlywilliams3008]

Here in Indiana zone 6a we are also having an unseasonably warm winter. My Spring bulbs are up by several inches and I can see the daffodil buds. Now we are having a couple of nights in the 20's. Should I cover the daffodil, tulip, and hyacinths with frost cloth?

[@lynnelewis6848]

your cat:) so sweet

[@solsticesummer982]

I’m wondering if any of that can be done in the fall. I’m thinking of copying another channels design of bobo hydrangea in a line along the long sides of my pool and limelight on standard on each corner for beautiful accent. But I wouldn’t want to look out the windows in my kitchen, dining, and living room French doors to see a lot of dry dead looking foliage. If I couldn’t prune them back toward the very end of fall… say mid November close to thanksgiving… I might have to re think 🙁

[@laurathorne952]

Hi Danielle, I’m a new-ish watcher from outside Chicago. Love your videos! Do you ever add an inch or two of compost after cleaning up your beds? Just wondering if I should order some…

[@marcusseidel6824]

Can t you shredd tge ornamental grasses to use as mulch

[@elmaelmar2761]

We have been having a bipolar winter this year in Michigan!! So crazy.!! It just amazes me how much garden waste I end up with. Good thing we have lots of acres to dump it. Did you cut your hair??

[@ecogarden3622]

August and september. Best regards from Poland.

[@carolfield8803]

I'm curious. What is your soul like? Here in Princeton it's clay and shake, actually more shake than clay.

[@jasminelouisefarrall]

Love clean ups 🥰

[@emanuelad3534]

I too love May, we call it in my country Flower month 😍