In article , Jeanne Stockdale
writes
We moved to our present house some 2 years ago and from a garden the size of
a postage stamp to one which takes up about half an acre - . I am having a
wonderful time gardening but there is an awful lot I don't know.

My particular problem at the moment is what to do with all the perennials.
Last year I didn't cut the dead growth back until the spring - in the belief
that I was protecting the new shoots from winter frosts and snow. It does
mean however that the garden looks very untidy throughout the winter and I
realise that I am possibly providing ideal conditions for slugs to hide.

So when is the correct time to cut everything back?

There isn't a 'correct' time!!!!!
We too leave most of the dead foliage on the plant over winter - just
tidy up the bits, for example, that overhang the lawn.

We compost everything and at this time of year there isn't much room in
the compost heap. Next spring when we start to cut the grass, the dead
foliage of the perennials a) has dried up and shrunk in volume b) helps
to dilute the new wet grass clippings.

As you say, the foliage provides frost protection for the crown of the
plant.
--
Jane Ransom in Lancaster.
I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg
but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms
at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see