Gardening tip

Begin cleaning garden beds, weather permitting, while perennials and shrubs are still in winter dormancy. Advance work over the next few weekends will avoid a mad dash in late March when plants are beginning to grow.

Rake leaves and cut back dead top growth on perennials and grasses, but keep protective mulch around tender plants for a few more weeks. Be careful not to damage emerging spring bulbs or early perennials such as hellebores.