Warmer weather makes gardeners want to go out to their growing spaces. A University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener says some things you shouldn’t do just yet. Robbin Keegan says you can plant cold-tolerant flowers and vegetables now. But you shouldn’t clean up last year’s plantings and garden litter for a few weeks yet. Creatures that are good for your garden are still dormant in old stalks and decomposing leaves.
Since the last frost around here is expected to be around April 27th, you should leave last year’s garden mess for several more weeks. That’s also about the time you should wait to plant anything frost-sensitive outside.
Besides being cool yet, the ground is still rather wet from snowfall of the last few weeks. Tilling it now will compact it. Plants that need loose soil won’t take to it well.