On Sun, 17 Nov 2002 20:59:37 +0100, "Robert Simpson"
wrote:

My garden is in late-autumn-mode with lots of plants having brown stems, and
many with seed pods at the top. Normally I would cut all this off and feed
the compost (or the local container park, as we call it in .be). But I have
seen (on GW?) that some people leave it alone since it prevents the garden
looking so barren over the winter. If I do this what happens next spring
when new shoots try to grow? Is there a time that I MUST cut it all down?
Grateful for advice,
Robert




Just a seasonal tip..... don't forget that the ladybirds etc. will be
looking for somewhere to overwinter ( if they haven't already found
lodgings ), and hollow stems are a particular favourite for this
helpful predator.
Seed pods may provide food for the birds in early winter.

I've never had many problems leaving old stems over winter - they
don't look that pretty when the weather is merely damp, but they catch
a frost a treat.
Come spring I tend to remove them only when the new shoots have put on
a few inches or so, by which time they can be pulled out with ease.
It's probably good practice to remove any stems that have toppled
over.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk