The goal is to remove last year’s vegetation before it starts to grow back. The asters’ seeds have long since been picked over by the finches, and the sedges have not yet begun their spring growth spurt. Likewise, the grasses and other plants are just beginning to think about emerging from dormancy. It’s trim back now or risk damaging new growth!
The cuttings are generally mulched in place, although some to make it to the compost heap. This year, the rain garden section of the meadow is flooded from El Niño rains so we have to wait until the water recedes (or we feel like donning boots) to finish trimming back some of the California asters.
Some plants – like sticky cinquefoil and dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) – seem to really enjoy the flooding. Since they’re both native here, it’s normal for seasonal rains to put them temporarily underwater. Other plants in the low area include rushes (Juncus) and sedges (Carex). Camassia bulbs also like wet spring conditions with dry summers.
Most of the upper part of the meadow is planted with California field sedge (Carex praegracillis), mixed with some milkweed and California goldenrod. Trimming it back lets things grow in fresh and neat over spring. All these plants are still either partially dormant (the Carex) or completely dormant.