GARDENER'S MAILBAG: How long can I wait to clean my palms post storm? By Neil Sperry Special to the Herald Democrat Dear Neil: I’ve been listening to you on the radio and reading you here. We’ve cleaned up most of the other shrubs and ground covers that were killed by the February cold. How long do we need to wait on palms? Oh, those don’t look good, do they? The real answer is hidden down in the crowns of each plant. That’s where the new growth originates. If the crown is lost, the plant is lost. Palms don’t really grow until it gets warm, but these look like it’s going to take more than just warm weather to get them to grow again – it’s going to take a miracle. Wait another 4-6 weeks if you can.