Hi
I am not sure where you are in ND, but I am only 6 miles from the ND border, in the NW corner of MN. Any way I am like you, I do not clean up until spring. I started doing it this way first because I didn't know any better. Second because I never had the time in the fall to do it!
I agree the last few winters have been milder. In fact I have some zone 5 plants that have been coming back unexpectedly 2 years in a row!

Jenny P

I am a spring cleanup guy for several reasons:

1. The remaining seedheads can be pretty and provide food for the birds. The Juncos seem to love the Liatris seeds and they are a hoot to watch.

2. I think it is easier. For instance, the Hosta foliage has usually dissolved and the daylilies come out with a quick tug.

3. I look forward to nice early spring days to start cleanup. I am not real motivated in the fall by the sea of brown.

With that said I would probably fall cleanup anything that had a disease over the summer.

I will clear out some that are notorious re-seeders, phlox, rudbeckia, perilla, and such- or some that mildew may be a problem with- peonies mostly- and cut back others like iris, siberian and bearded, monardas and some I just don't like to see all winter- to fans and stubble. I do like to leave some for the birds and mice- and for protection as well.
It does seem so much easier to remove dry husks/stalks in the spring with just a wave of the hand- then it is to cut each stalk with a pruner in the fall.

Ditto absolutely everything that ginkgonut said :-) Although I do have to admit to some hollyhock cleanup this fall because they looked absolutely ugly for my neighbor to have to look at.

I am a spring cleaner because
1. It provides food for the birds
2. I like the look
3. It helps to hold the snow in place to protect my plants
4. I love the surprises awaiting me when I do the clean up.
5. It is the first chance I get to get out there and work after a long winter.

I'm a spring cleaner - except when it comes to pruning my roses a bit. I just kind of tame them back and do the major clean out on them in spring. I also will often get my wild asters cleaned out as that prevents them seeding even worse than they already do!

I have enough to do in fall - I have begonia corms, cannas, and herbs to bring in, all the sweaters to wash (*pats self on back* - that's done), jams and jellies to make, squash and beets to process, and more tomato sauce to make. Not to mention that knitting! UGH! And three+ fleeces to spin!

-Marie

I leave everything up except for plants that experienced disease this past year, or are prone to disease or to harboring pests (this latter group includes mostly non-natives).

Everything else stays up for:

• winter interest

• feeding birds and little critters

• protection of butterflies and beneficial bugs (yes, some pest bugs are protected too)

• places for birds to find shelter

• crown protection of plants- the stems gather leaves and snow

• nest building material in the spring for birds and small wildlife

• following the example of Mother Nature, who must have some clue, eh? ;-)

• helps me see where the paths are when I'm tromping through the garden in the winter

• let's me get out in the garden and do something useful when it's too early to work soil

In reference to that last one, I like to make sure I get out early enough so I don't disturb any established nurseries. Since I don't grow my plants in authentic prairie-style, I do like to tidy up a bit. This may become less each year if I don't experience problems.

I don't cut down the prolific re-seeders. I like seeing where they try to migrate to, they make nice plant swap items, and I'd never get them all anyways.